HON. WILLIAM M. SMITH
McLean County, Lexington, Illinois Politician
(April 2008)
While working on some genealogy this last month I ran across this gentleman William M. Smith, I slowing starting finding information in bits and pieces and the story seemed to unfold. Then I happened on the fact that he had served in the Illinois Legislature. As I live in Lexington and never realized that we had had any members of our community in such a high office, I was determined to find out all that I could. I hope that you enjoy the story of this gentleman as much as I did.
A SHORT SUMMERY OF HIS LIFE
William M. Smith was born on a farm near Frankfort, Kentucky on April 9, 1827, a son of John S. and Mary (Harper) Smith. He came to McLean County, Illinois at a young age with his uncle, Milton Smith. He was married to Nancy Ann Hopkins, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Bartholomew) Hopkins on March 19, 1849 in McLean County. To this couple was born one daughter Mary Emily Smith.
Mr. Smith was successful in farming and in mercantile business.
At the outbreak of the Civil War he all but abandoned his mercantile business, so that he could devote his time and means to aid in the principles which had been his guide in political life. Governor Richard Yates urged him repeatedly to accept a colonel’s commission in the volunteer force, but feeling that he was much more useful at raising and organizing regiments, and in securing supplies for the sick and wounded, he declined the offer repeatedly.
Mr. William M. Smith was a Republican, and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives, and became a member of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly which convened January 7, 1867, a member of the Twenty-Sixth General Assembly which convened January 4, 1869, and a member of the Twenty-Seventh General Assembly. William M. Smith, of McLean County, was elected Speaker of the House, over William R. Morrison, of Monroe by a vote of 101 to 75. He held this office until January 1873. After serving three terms in the lower house of the Legislature he was appointed by Governor Shelby M. Cullom a member of the Railroad and Warehouse commission, of which he served as President until 1883.
Mr. Smith died March 19, 1886 in Lexington, Illinois and is buried at Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Illinois.
As stated above William M. Smith was a Republican and shared many of the views of Abraham Lincoln. Here is a letter written by William M. Smith to Abraham Lincoln, February 23, 1860.
Dear sir we have a Paper Published in our Town that has been neutral in Politicks and I think there is a chance to enlist it for the Republican Party.
We have in our Town and within our influence about 1200, voters and I think it would be better for the Paper To Take a stand one way or the other.
The Editor has been a Democrat Hertofor but if the Republicans will Take hold of the matter in Earnest we can have the Editor & Paper in our ranks.
Now if you will write to me and Give you opion in favor of the Project I think I can by useing your Letter in our Republican caucus wich meets on next.
Tuesday evening Gem Them To Take Hold of the Paper and sustain it during the campaign.
We are about forming a club and are Determined to make a Greater effort than ever. our county (McLean), must Give one thousand majority and will do
it if you are choise of the National convention for either Place on the Ticket. evry Republican in the Northern Part of this county is for you first on the Ticket
Our caucus is secret and composed of our best men and I think a word from you will do us Good at this Time
Yours Truly
Will. M. Smith
[Endorsed on Envelope by Lincoln;]
Will. M. Smith
Read the Newspaper reports of this shocking death.
FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1886
SHOCKING TRAGEDY !
HON. W. M. SMITH DIES BY HIS OWN HAND!
Lexington in Mourning Over the Horrible Death of One of Our Most Beloved Citizens.
Our peaceable and quiet village was thrown into a terrible excitement yesterday morning over the startling intelligence that Hon. William M. Smith had killed himself.
The sad occurrence --- the saddest ever recorded in the annuls of our history --- took place a few minutes past 7 o'clock, just after finishing his breakfast, while the family were still lingering at the table. He had started up town to his place of business returning suddenly to the carriage house and fired the
FATAL SHOT.
When discovered a few minutes later a No. 38 patent shell ejector Smith & Weston revolver was in his hand, a pool of
BLOOD ON THE FLOOR
and life departed, the ball having penetrated just over the right ear, passing diagonally through the brain --- out over the left eyebrow, performing its terrible mission of
DEATH INSTANTLY AND UNERRINGLY.
Hon. Wm. H. Smith came to this vicinity in early boyhood from Frankfort, Kentucky, and has been closely identified with the interests of Lexington and McLean county ever since.
He began the struggle of life with no capital, save a strong constitution and stronger will power, good moral principles, an inimitable fund of humor,
INDOMITABLE PERSEVERANCE
and an instinctive horror and dread of everything mean or selfish or little in his dealings with his fellow man. He began work on his arrival here on the farm of Milton Smith, of Pleasant Hill, at eight dollars per month and by economy and attention to business, his accumulated a handsome fortune, having gone into the
MERCANTILE BUSINESS IN 1856
and continued it ever since in connection with his farming and fine stock operations.
While he had none, or at least but few of the advantages of early education yet with a naturally strong mind and a constant and untiring habit of reading books and papers of a good and substantial character, he had acquired distinction as one of the best informed men in the state.
SERVING IN THE LEGISLATURE
three terms from 1866, with great distinction, a considerable portion time he honored with the position of speaker of the house, and was afterwards placed at the head of the State Board of Railroad and Warehouse commissioners by Governor Cullom. While serving in this capacity by his great and untiring labors in the interests of the people, he
BROKE DOWN HIS CONSTITUTION
and was for several years almost a complete physical wreck and had not entirely recovered, although for a year or more he had been able to give considerable attention to his extensive business; but his friends have not failed to notice for a considerable time that his mind had not escaped entirely unimpaired the terrible ordeal of the years of excruciating suffering through which he had passed.
It is not our province to indulge in idle conjecture or seek for causes for this terrible calamity, or to philosophies as to the motives which could induce a man who has lived as Wm. M. Smith has lived --- a life of unsullied honor or unimpeachable integrity, of untarnished name in all the relations of husband, father, friend, citizen, Christian, having an abundance of this world's goods, a home of elegance and luxury, a kind, amiable and lovely wife and charming and estimable daughter, and the good will and esteem of neighbors and the community at large --- to thus sunder the ties that bound him to earth. The verdict of the coroner's jury is in these words: "Came to his death by his own hand
WHILE TEMPORARILY INSANE."
No man since the days of Roman patriotism and Grecian love of home had a greater or stronger love for or interest in his own town. While in the legislature he had passed the bill now know as our charter and watched with peculiar pride the development of the town and the fact of its known temperance proclivities and the absence of all saloons and "low dens of iniquity." In caring for the poor by distributing to their necessities, in building up the material interest of the community by introducing and fostering improved breed of cattle and horses, by being foremost in every good work in voice and with purse, in educational matters and church affairs --- everywhere he was found on the right side and in the front ranks.
Like Abraham Lincoln and Richard Yates and many others of our great men, he was born in a slave state and early in life had his convictions deeply wrought upon the subject of human rights and could not look upon oppression in any from with any degree of allowance.
In early life a whig, when the great breaking up in parties occurred resulting in the formation of the republican party and the great struggle commenced with the watchward "Freedom National, Slavery Sectional," he was with Lovejoy and other leaders foremost in the fight. While not a classical scholar he was nevertheless a speaker of remarkable force and vigor, and had a telling though "homely" was of putting his arguments and "clinching" them that never failed to carry conviction to his hearers, while his repartees and anecdotes were in
SPARKLING BRILLIANCY
and cutting force scarcely interior to those of Lincoln. No public meeting was ever dull or lifeless, or in any sense a failure if he was on the platform --- no private enterprise ever failed if he took part in it and no enterprise, public or private of any merit was ever inaugurated within the bounds of his sphere that he did not have an interest in.
In short by any standard of just comparison, it will be conceded by all that the void he has left in the community can never be filled and that as nearly as is possible in this world he was
A MODEL MAN.
A SHOCKING SUICIDE.
Hon. Wm. M. Smith, of Lexington, Ends His Life by Sending a Bullet Through His Brain.
A Life of Success, of Sunshiny Disposition and Amiable Mood Ended by Suicide.
The Particulars of the Afflicting Tragedy -- A Life Sketch and the Deceased.
This city and community were profoundly moved yesterday morning by a message from Lexington announcing the sad intelligence that Hon. William M. Smith had taken his own life. The report spread rapidly over the business portion of the city. The people were loth to believe that the news could be correct, but, alas! It was too true.
A PANTAGRAPHER visited Lexington and fund that a show of gloom was laying over the little city, for one of its most honored and most highly respected citizens lay cold and silent in the chamber of death. The people were startled -- were shocked -- for they were not prepared to hear of the tragic ending of the deceased, and all day long his death and the manner in which his spirit fled this world were the sole topic of conversation.
On Wednesday evening at tea Mr. Smith and family enjoyed the company of Mr. L. P. Scroggin and later Mr. Kennedy, the banker, joined the company, and the evening was pleasantly spent. Not one thought for a moment that Mr. Smith was so soon to leave them. Mr. Smith retired at about 9 o'clock that evening, and slept unusually sound for him. He arose yesterday morning at 6 o'clock, feeling, as his family thought, judging from his actions, in better health and spirits. On going down stairs he met William Fordis, a little boy who was employed to do chores, and spoke to him telling him not to make a fire in the sitting room, stating, as his reason, that the weather would be warm. Afterwards he went to the barn-yard, where the boy was milking, and complained to him that the barn door had been left open and that the cow was out. Willie told him that that was the usual custom. Mr. Smith made no answer, but lingered about the barn and cow-pen all the time the boy was milking. From there he went up town and engaged Fletcher Smith's horse to drive to his farm. He then returned home and ate breakfast with his family, and to them appeared to be in his usual frame of mind. After eating a hearty breakfast he arose from the table and spoke to Mrs. Smith, saying that he would hitch up and drive to the farm. He spoke to Lewis Strayer, who lives with him, telling him to go to Fletcher Smith's a block away, and get his horse and hitch to his own buggy.
Soon after, Mr. Smith left the house, going out the front gate, and walked along the walk to the driveway, down which he walked to his barn. On arriving at the barn he saw a small boy in Fletcher Smith's yard and called to him, asking if Strayer was not about ready to bring the horse. The boy assured him that Strayer was coming with the animal, when Mr. Smith opened the door to the buggy shed, and entering, closed the door behind him. A minute or two later the boy heard a noise which he thought was the kick of a horse and for the time thought nothing of it. Mr. Strayer came up with the horse and opened the buggy shed door and was startled at finding Mr. Smith lying on the floor. Mr. Strayer supposed that he had fallen in a fit and aroused the neighbors. Messrs, W. H. Shepherd, L. P. Scroggin and Geo. W. Hiser immediately responded and were horrified on discovering Mr. Smith had shoot himself and that the life blood was fast ebbing away. Clutched in his right hand, with his finger yet on the trigger, was a 38-calibre, self-cocking Smith & Wesson revolver. This and the ghastly wound in the head told all.
Judging from the position of the body and the surrounding circumstances Mr. Smith, on entering the barn, had sat down and, with the revolver in his right hand, placed the muzzle against the right side of his head and fired the fatal shot. The bullet entered about an inch above and a little back of the right ear, and, passing clear through the head, came out just over the left eye, causing death instantaneously. When the gentlemen already named arrived, which was not later than five minutes after the shot was fired, life was extinct, yet Mr. Smith's flesh was warm. Coroner Riser was summoned and with Messrs. Peter Whitmer, Lyman Ferre, D. M. Funk, Parke E. Temple, George W. Hiser and T. C. Kerrick as jury, an inquest was held and the jury, after getting all the facts at had, returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death by shooting himself with a revolver during a temporary aberration of the mend.
That Mr. Smith's mind was temporarily deranged is well settled fact, and while the public generally have not known of the mental disability that has been gradually taking hold of him, his relatives and most intimate friends have been troubled greatly over the matter.
It will be remembered that a few years ago he passed through a tedious illness that lasted a year and came very near costing him his life. It was in the spring of 1882 that his physical health, which had been remarkably vigorous all through life, began to fail; kidney and heart troubles seized upon him and continued to gnaw at the portals of life for a whole year, and for a long period his life hung upon a single thread. Those that knew of his ambition and determination felt encouraged that he would pull through and he did. He was in Chicago while sick, an eminent physician was called to see him. As soon as the doctor entered the sick chamber Mr. Smith said to him:
"Doctor I want you to tell me just what you think of my case."
After making a thorough diagnosis, the doctor said: "Well, I will tell you; there is one chance for you to live and there are five hundred to die."
"Well, I'll tell you" said Mr. Smith "You do your best and I will do all I can to pull through on that one chance."
It was almost a miracle that he recovered from that sickness and his friends say that, while he regained much of his lost health and became almost as fleshy as ever, yet his physical health has not been strong and vigorous as it was, and his mind, to his relatives and friends, at times has seemed materially affected. Of late his physical health had been on the decline again and in a grater ratio has his brain become affected. He has been rapidly losing his jovial disposition and good cheer. It used to be that he would always look upon the bright side of everything; that he rejoiced in the condition of things as he found them, but of late he has been growing melancholy and taking a bluish gloomy view of social financial and political matters. He harbored hallucinations; he imagined that his friends were deserting him; that people were leaving his business and trading elsewhere; that his taxes were extravagantly high, that he was on the verge of starvation, and that the condition of politics was becoming wretched. Meeting his friends on the street, he would complain of their not being sociable, and ask them if they thought that he had committed any heinous offence. It seems that of late, in regard to most every subject to which he would give thought, he would see only the dark side, and would worry and fret over it. The approaching village school election he worried a great deal over. He feared that it would not result as it, should, and he has been troubled a great deal over the manner in which Richmond H. Dement, his towns-man, has been treated.
There have been no reasons for his solicitude. While he paid a tax of about $550 annually, yet he was not upon the verge of starvation for he was worth in the neighborhood of $80,000. People have patronized his business of late more considerate of him and given hi greater attention of late than ever. He had been arranging for a public sale to take place the 8th proximo, and had fretted a great deal over it, fearing the prices would not be satisfactory.
On account of his nervous and dejected condition on Wednesday, Miss Emma, his daughter, invited to tea that evening Mr. L. P. Scroggin, as noted above, asking him to come home from the store with his father and later Mr. Kennedy came in. It was noticed during the evening that Mr. Smith was very nervous and despondent. He told Mr. Scroggin that the coming school election would break him up, and that his friends were all deserting him, and that he could not stand it much longer. He also told Mr. Kennedy that he was suffering with a severe pain in the top of his head.
It is now thought that he has had the killing of himself in mind for some time. About three weeks ago he took an old revolver to George Watson and wanted him to clean it, saying he wanted to shoot gophers that were working in his yard. Mr. Watson suggested that, Mr. Smith should take his pistol. He took Mr. Watson's revolver and on last Saturday, while handling the weapon, it was discharged and he barely escaped injury. The bullet just grazed the back of his left hand, breaking the skin and causing something of a wound. Mrs. Smith feared that it was dangerous for him to have the weapon and got it from him. On Wednesday he asked her for it, saying that he wanted to take it to Watson. She gave it to him and supposed that he had taken it to Watson. After the injury to his hand Mr. Smith requested Mr. Will Shepherd editor of the Review, who up to that time knew naught of the occurrence, not to mention the matter lest it would create some talk.
Mr. J. V. Brooks was one of the last to see the deceased alive, and it is not improbable that his meeting Mr. Smith, by chance, was going from his residence uptown and saw Mr. Smith coming towards him. Mr. Smith was then half a block past the alley that leads to the barn, and Mr. Brooks seeing that he was walking fast, turned across the street to go uptown, walking leisurely, thinking that Mr. Smith would soon overtake him. When he got across the street he looked back, but Mr. Smith was not in sight. He had turned back, and had gone direct to the alley , thence to the place where he shot himself. It is thought that he imagined that, as Brooks did not stop, his old friend had forsaken him, and this being to him plain evidence of the notions that he had harbored, he then, and there firmly resolved to kill himself.
BIOGRAPHICAL
Hon. Wm. M. Smith would have been fifty-nine years old had he lived till May next. He was born on a farm near Frankfort, Kentucky and immigrated to McLean county when a small boy with his uncle, Mr. Milton Smith. When he started in life he had not a dollar and worked for a long time at $8 a month. He was both frugal and industrious and soon got a start. About the year 1838 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Hopkins, who, with one daughter, Miss Emma , survives him. Mrs. Smith's father was Patrick Hopkins an early settler and a prominent citizen. Some time after Mr. Wm. M. Smith located, his father, John R. Smith, emigrated here, but he is long since deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith commenced life upon their farm of 205 acres four miles southwest of Lexington, and in 1857 moved to that town.
Mr. Smith has been successful in both the farming and mercantile business. He leaves an estate valued at about $80,000, which consists of a very valuable and highly improved farm of 205 acres four miles southwest of Lexington, an 80-acre farm in Blue Mound township, and 80-acre farm in Lawndale township, his valuable residence in Lexington, the store building and stock, the building were the Lexington post office is, $20,000 worth of cattle and fine horses, $5,000 worth of real estate in St. Louis, and an 80-acre farm in Kansas. He leaves no material indebtedness.
He left a will with L. P. Scroggin and A. J. Moon as executors. A few days ago he got his will out of the bank and looked it over for the purpose of changing it, but decided to not alter it. He got his business in good shape, and everything goes to show that he has been contemplating taking his life. He carried no life insurance. He as a member of the Masonic order, the only secret society of which he belonged. He was a member of the Methodist church.
HIS POLITICAL CAREER
Mr. Smith was a republican of a pronounced type and took an active part in local and state politics. He was a genius as local and state politics. He was a genius as stump speaker and won a wide reputation for telling with great effect comical stories, and anecdotes. In 1866 this country chose him as a representative in the lower house of the legislature and his services were so universally acceptable that in 1870. When the legislature was convened in 1870, he was honored by being chosen speaker, which office he filled with credit to himself and honor to his county. When Hon. S. M. Cullom was elected governor he appointed Mr. Smith a member of the board of railroads and warehouse commissioners, which office he held till 1882, when failing heath caused him to resign.
When he moved to Lexington in 1857 he purchased the store of Geo. T. Dement and has continued to do business ever since with exception of one year and , while others have gone to the wall, driven there by panics, bad bargains, false systems of business and various other vicissitudes, he has prospered and his business has grown year by year. While he has done a mercantile business, he had also operated his farm, and for the past fifteen years had given attention also to the importing and breeding of fine cattle and horses and had also been successful in this line.
THE FUNERAL
The funeral will take place from his late residence in Lexington at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. The services will be conducted by Dr. W. H. Adams, of this city, assisted by the ministers of Lexington.
SADLY STRANGE
---It is sadly strange that the man who, upon a bed of sickness that brought him to the brink of the grave, exhibited the courage of a hero --- was cheerful and happy while his watchers listened for the soft foot-falls of Death, and whose quaint and witty sayings brought laughter to the lips of the loving ones beside him in the darkest hours of their solicitude, should at last take his own life! Who would have thought that melancholy could ever have driven from that generous, happy soul the sunshine of life, and left it in such dreadful gloom that existence on earth was beyond endurance? Yet there is nothing new or strange about it. It is the same old story. Those who seem ever to live in the sunshine and who reflect it upon those about them, ofttimes are overwhelmed by the darkest clouds. The mind that is brightest, the heart that is lightest ofttimes sinks in the darkness of despair.
Mr. Smith was a man of the most kindly heart and generous impulses. He was ever the life of that circle in which he moved. He was a jovial, genial, interesting friend and companion. His tongue seemed gifted with the power to make happy and merry all who heard its utterances. Nor was there a particle of the undignified about him. In his serious aspects he exhibited all the earnestness of those who had not his ability or desire to render those about him happy. As an advocate of a political idea, or, indeed, as a champion of any cause in which he engaged, he was well-nigh invincible. Strong argument, eloquent language, appeals to the every day life and experience, anecdotes and jokes, followed and mingled with each other. On the stump he many at times drew about throngs while men of the national reputation, speaking near him, talked in little groups. He impressed every one with the realization that a strong, manly, earnest, light-hearted and happy man was before him. Integrity and honor marked every step in the life of our departed friend. He was as pure and upright as a citizen as he was as the head of a family. In public office he was no less pure and incorruptible. Few men die who leave a life record so free from shame, so bright with the good deeds he has done.
AT REST
The Sad Rites Over The Remains of Hon. W. M. Smith
The Services Attended by a Vast Concourse of
Friends from Far and Near.
The funeral services of Hon. W. M. Smith, of this place, whose death occurred Thursday morning of last week, were held at the late residence of deceased Monday afternoon and were attended by a vast concourse of citizens of the town, county and state, among whom were many of the highest officials of Illinois, including Gov. Oglesby and staff. A very large number of people from the country joined the mourners to witness the last sad rites over the body of their honored friend. From all directions and all points the people came with hearts full of sorrow to pay their respect to the memory of their friend, and show their love for a man that had lived such a life as the departed. During the services all the business houses and schools of Lexington were closed.
The remains lay in state in the parlor of the residence from 11 o'clock in the morning until 1 o'clock p. m., during which time, hundreds of the friends of the deceased visited the house and took a farewell look at the face of their friend. Long before the time set for the final services to begin (2 o'clock) the house was filled with sorrowing people with tear bedimmed eyes, anxious to hear every word spoken and song sung over the remains of the departed; while the yard and street, church and residences adjoining, were crowded with people who were unable to gain admittance to the house.
Among the many in attendance from a distance were: Gov. R. J. Oglesby, Lieut. Gov. J. C. Smith, State Auditor Chars. P. Swigert, Secretary of State H. D. Dement, Adjutant General Vane, Col. Char. F. Mills, Hon. D. T. Littler, Col. D. Wickersham, Hon. Alfred Orendorff, Attorney General Geo. Hunt, R. B. Pollard, Capt. Reed, Thomas W. Lake, C. E. Paullin, Hon. John W. Burna, Maj. E. S. Johnson, Col. S. D. Fisher, Capt. John H. Gunn, Hon. Lincoln DuBois, Hon. Paul Shelby, of Springfield; Lewis Miner, of Springfield Journal; C. P. Johnson, newspaper correspondent; Capt. T. W. S. Kidd, of the Springfield Monitor, and Thos. Reed, of the State Register, of Springfield; Senator David Davis, Judge J. M. Scott, Judge O. T. Reeves, Major B. F. Funk, Hon. J. W. Fifer, Dr. A. T. Barnes, H. G. Reeves, C. L. Capen, Col. John Reed, Hon. Ivory Pike, Capt. J. H. Burnham, Judge T. F. Tipton, Capt. Joseph Denison, Messrs. W. M. Grier, D. M. Funk, Elijah Horr, J. A. Sterling, H. M. Seusency, L. E. Ijams, and others of Bloomington; Hon. Lafayette Funk and wife and Mr. Isaac Funk and wife, of Funk's Grove; Hon. S. B. Kinsey and Mr. Dennis Kenyon, of McLean; Rev. R. B. Chaplin and Prof. Stetson, of Normal; Reed Marquardt, of Atlanta; Senator D. B. Gillham, of Alton; Hon. P. Bird Price, chief grain inspector and Hon. Geo. M Bogue, of Chicago, and a number of citizens of Dwight, Pontiac and Chenoa.
Telegrams of condolence were received by the bereaved family from friends in Washington, D. C., Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and Ohio, and from Chicago, Ottawa, Springfield, Bloomington and other cities in Illinois.
The contributions of floral tributes were numerous, beautiful and appropriate; one, the gift of the board of grain inspectors, was a beautiful column of lovely and fragrant flowers, bearing upon the one side the words, "our Friend," and on the other "W. M. Smith".
The services were conducted by Dr. W. H. Adams, president of the Wesleyan university of Bloomington, assisted by Rev. R. Conover, pastor of the Presbyterian church; Rev. G. C. Shaffer, pastor of the M. E. church; Rev. J. S. Forward, pastor of the Baptist church of Lexington and Rev. Frank Smith, of Lawndale. The music which was most excellent, being appropriate selections, impressively rendered, was furnished by Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Stiles, Misses Adda and Emma Lindsay, Miss Bessie Okeson, Dr. S. B. L. Merrill, J. D. Packard and Arthur J. Scrogin.
Dr. Addams, delivered a short but feeling address which the following is a synopsis:
"It has rarely been my pleasure to attend the funeral services of one who has no blood ties with me, when I have felt so much as though I was a member of the family as I do on this occasion. I don't feel that my heart is in that casket with those remains, but that it is in paradise, where the spirit of William Smith now is. I have known him and intimately, a great many years and he has seemed to me as a father and a brother, for in the many conversations that I have had with him, he at times seemed like a father, and in others like an elder brother and companion. His house has always been my home while in Lexington, and I never visited it and shared a conversation with the deceased, that I did not go away feeling stronger and better able to do the work that I had to do. Few men have I ever met that were more firm and had more strongly settled convictions that had William M. Smith. What he believed he believed with his whole heart. While he has been decided and firm in his conviction, I doubt if there is one who ever, for a moment, doubted his fidelity and honest of purpose. He never doubted the faces of men and was never silent in the defense of right and justice. He spoke with an earnestness and pathos that put honesty of purpose into what he said. I loved him because he was a good man; because he was honest in all his walks of life. He was not more successful than he was upright; not more successful than he was honest. No one would hesitate to trust him in everything. They know him to be true and honest and to be a man in they could place implicit confidence. And he was just as honest in defense of principle and opinions. I would that every person had those same honest conviction as had our friend whom we carry today to the narrow home. In these churches his loss will be sadly felt, but his goodness will continue to be known.
"Good men never die; they only sleep. Their memory and their goodness linger with us. John Knox is not dead; John Wesley is not dead; neither is Abraham Lincoln. They only sleep. When good men finish their mission on earth they wrap the drapery of their conches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams, but their souls live on.
"We will miss the departed. We will miss the great sunny heart. No man ever met and talked with him but felt afterwards that the clouds had been driven away and the rays of sunlight let in. He made many a pathway clear and hopeful, and caused many a heart to rejoice. We will miss him because of his warm heart for humanity. The churches will miss him, the Wesleyan college will miss him. He has a glorious record in the churches and schools here, and they will miss him. And has a warm place in the heart of every man, woman and child that ever knew him. The poor will miss his philanthropic heart. When the cold, bleak days of winter come, the poor that he used to help will miss him. He possessed one of those warm, true hearts that never saw suffering but that he extended the hand to help and the heart to sympathize. He was a jolly, jovial man, his countenance always beaming with sunshine. But there was an under current for a deeper purpose that all did not know of.
"I shall never forget the last conversation I had with him. We spent the entire day together. We talked about business prosperity, of country affairs, of finance, of schools, educational matters, of churches, of the great works of life, and he closed the conversation by saying: 'I have tried to live to love my God and to love my fellow men, and I expect when this life is over to find a home in the house of God."
"It is always sad to part with good useful men; it is always sad to part with good, useful men; it is always sad to lose them, for we can never replace them. It is sad for us that he is gone, but blessed for him. I never see a child in a coffin but that I think of an angel, and next to that is an aged man or woman who has lived to noble life; who had a warm, loving heart for God and man; who had an iron heart true to his purpose and convictions. I sometimes think that there should be a time when men should ripen and die like the flowers and fruits. When the soul grows too large for the body and longs for a greater field it should go where it can enjoy being with God.
“Let me say to this wife and daughter that the hearts of all, full of sympathy, are extended them, and that while they may feel that they have been left alone the great Christ will be near and dear to them all through their lives. He has cared for you and blessed you, and he will never desert you now if you trust him. Sometimes we are apt to feel that we do not need his help, and he helps us in proportion to the trust that we place in him. That God will furnish us a healing balm for all our suffering and give us a protecting care none will deny.”
At the close of the services the remains were borne to the hearse by the pall bearers, Messrs. W. H. Kennedy, Shelton Smith, Jacob Best and Samuel Shade, of Lexington: A. B. Davidson, of Bloomington; and John P. W. Eson, of Mendota. The honorary pall bearers were, Judge O. T. Reeves, Hon. T. F. Tipton, Hon. J. W. Fifer and T. C. Kerrick, of Bloomington; Hon. W. C. Watkins, of Chicago; and Hon. Layfayette Fulk, of McLean.
The procession formed with the G. A. R. post, of Lexington, and visiting veterans in the lead, following which came the hearse with the pall bearers on foot and then came carriages containing the bereaved family, relatives and intimate friends, followed by a very long line of carriages and people walking, making the largest funeral procession ever witnessed in Lexington.
The remains were interred in the Harness grove, at the point about one-half mile distant from town, by the road side, where deceased had often expressed a desire to be buried.
Telegrams of condolence were received from friends in Kentucky, Bloomington, Chicago and Springfield, and other cities among them were dispatches from Robert Miller, of West Liberty, Iowa; J. C. Smith, of Chicago, and H. M. Vail of Independence, Mo. The following letter was from Mrs. Oglesby, wife of the governor:
To the Hon. Mrs. Wm M. Smith:
MY DEAR MRS. SMITH: -- Though personally unknown to you and your daughter, I must in this hour of sorrow and bereavement express to you my sincere sorrow for the dreadful accident that has robbed you of a devoted husband and father. Mr. Smith had won my highest esteem and regard for the tender and affectionate manner that he spoke of wife and child, and his perfect domestic content. There is nothing I honor more than the man who is proud and happy in his family surroundings, and he had promised to bring you both to visit us, that I might know you. Mr. Oglesby and I feel a personal loss in your bereavement, and I beg if there is anything we could possibly do to be of the least comfort to you, you may command us. Mr. Oglesby will come on Monday to pay the last tribute of affectionate regard to his dear old friend. I am, dear Mrs. Smith with profound sympathy, faithfully your,
EMMA GILLETT OGLESBY.
SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1886.
A TELEGRAM FROM SENATOR CULLOM.
To Geo. B. Okeson:
Your telegram announcing the death of Hon. Wm. M. Smith received. It is a sad announcement to me. He was a noble man. He was my dear friend. He has been a valuable man to the state. Please tender Mrs. Smith and Miss Emma my sincere sympathy.
S. M. CULLOM
WASHINGTON, D.C.
TELEGRAM FROM P. BIRD PRICE.
To Mrs. Wm. M. Smith:
DEAR MADAM --- I cannot put my sympathy and sorrow into words. Command me if I can be of service. Will be down tomorrow or next day.
P. BIRD PRICE.
CHICAGO, ILL.
The Will of Hon. W. M. Smith.
On Wednesday afternoon the will of the late Hon. W. M. Smith was admitted to probate before Judge Benjamin, in the county court. The will was made about three years ago and divides the large estate of Mr. Smith between his wife and daughter with equal fairness. To his wife, Nancy A. Smith, he leaves his residence property in Lexington with all the personal effects belonging thereto; also the home farm of 250 acres in sections twenty-nine and thirty, Lexington township, and his real estate in St. Louis. To his daughter, Miss Ema, he gives his interest in the brick block were his store is located, which is owned jointly by himself and Milton Smith (meaning block and ground, not merchandise,) the post office building and lot; 80 acres of land in Lawndale township, 80 acres of land in Blue Mound, 80 acres in Kansas and a gold watch.
To Abner Settles, who has for years managed his home farm, he leaves a team of mules, a set of double harness, a two horse wagon, a plow and harrow.
He names Levin P. Scrogin and A. J. Moon as his executors and directs that they as soon as practicable, proceed to dispose of all cattle, hogs, horses, mules and all other personal property, and that after paying all expenses and indebtedness, the proceeds of all person property be devoted to the joint uses and comfort of his wife and daughter, and in case of the marriage of the daughter before the death of Mrs. Smith that it be divided share and share alike.
The Pantagraph, Friday May 25, 1888 Page 3
HIS FINIAL RESTING PLACE
The body of the late Hon. W. M. Smith Will Sleep Forever at His Old Home
----When Hon. W. M. Smith, of Lexington was buried in ground selected by him it was the intention to lay out a new cemetery at the place of his burial, but it has been found to be impracticable, and it has some time been some time the family have been undecided where the final interment of the remains should be made. Many of Mr. Smith’s old friends in different parts of the state urged the removal of his remains to Springfield and others to Bloomington. The monument to mark his resting place has been ready for shipment some time, and it became necessary that the place should be settled upon. The only objection to his final burial is the Lexington Cemetery was the fact the Lexington Cemetery association has never been incorporated and they could not have such assurances as of the permanent character and be kept up in food order through the years to come. The family has decided that the final interment of Mr. Smith’s remains should be made in the Lexington cemetery, where they have selected a beautiful lot. The monument will be ordered to be shipped at once, and the change made as soon as practicable. This arrangement will be gratifying to the many old friends and neighbors of the Mr. Smith in the vicinity of Lexington as during the years of his active life he was a resident of that place and it is eminently proper that be would rest surrounded by the remains of those who know him best and loved him most.
Source of all these newspaper articles is scrapbooks of Marian (Roy) Elson on microfilm, located at the Lexington Genealogy & Historical Society, Lexington, Illinois