Rochester, Monroe, N.Y.
Union Advertiser
Sept. 2, 1863
LOCAL AFFAIRS
Death of Mrs. J. W. SMITH
This estimable lady died at her residence No. 14 Clinton St., on Monday evening, at the advanced age of seventy-
five years, having survived every member of her immediate family.
Mrs. Smith was one of the few remaining links that connect the Rochester of to-day with its earliest history. She
was the widow of the late Dr. J. W. SMITH, who though long since deceased, is still remembered for the active and
prominent part which he sustained in social and professional life. Mrs. S. was born in Winchester, N. H., and came
to this city from Saratoga county, thirty-six years ago. She was among the oldest as well as among the most influential
female members of the Third Presbyterian Church, and an energetic and exemplary christian.
Her eldest son, Sanford J. SMITH, became interested in railroad and telegraph enterprises at the West. He laid
the foundation for the combination subsequently known as the "Western Union Telegraph Co." Afterwards
he engaged in railroad building, as senior member of the firm of Smith, Leighton & Co., of Keokuk, Iowa, and
obtained the construction of a railroad from Keokuk to Des Moines. He was the ruling spirit of that important enterprise,
and his death, which occurred in 1860, deprived the road of a successful manager. The losses of the company were
enormous, in consequence, the share of his (---) (---) being not less than $80,000. One of his two children, now
a young man, resided with Mrs. S. at the time of her death. The other, a daughter, is now in Kentucky.
James, the younger son of Mrs. Smith, removed to the West, became school teacher in the State of Mississippi, and
was subsequently compelled to take part in the rebellion. He was killed in battle, last year, a notice of his decease
appearing in a Richmond newspaper, but we believe this intelligence was never communicated to his mother.
Notwithstanding her advanced age, Mrs. SMITH enjoyed excellent health until a short time prior to her death, and
was active in domestic affairs and works of christian benevolence. The funeral will take place from her late residence,
No. 14, South Clinton St., this afternoon, at three o'clock.
Rochester, Monroe, NY
Union & Advertiser
Tue Sept 29, 1863
DEATH OF SILAS O. SMITH
Intelligence was received last night by telegraph from Germantown, Pa., of the
death of our venerable fellow citizen, Silas O. SMITH.- He had been at
Germantown some time on a visit to his son, Rev. L. Ward SMITH, who is settled
at that place. Intelligence of the illness of Mr. S, a few days since was
followed by a gratifying statement that he was convalescent. His illness has
taken an unfavorable turn and resulted fatally. Of the particulars, however,
we have nothing.
Mr. SMITH was most emphatically a pioneer in this
locality. He was born in New Marlborough, Mass., came to this region in 1810,
and settled at Hanford's Landing, three miles north of the present centre of
the city. At that time the site of the city was a forest, save half an acre
cleared, upon which stood the Indian Allan mill. In 1818 Mr. SMITH built the
first store in this place. It was of wood, and stood on the site of the old
Museum Building, Exchange street. In 1814 he cleared there a few acres of
ground, including the lots where the Court House, St. Luke's Church, First
Presbyterian Church, &c., now stand, and sowed it to wheat, which the
squirrels and other wild animals devoured.
While at the Landing in 1810 some of his customers
came one hundred miles with ox teams and yet business was rather dull. Mr. S.
said that soon after Charlotte and Hanford's Landing began to contend for the
mastery, but fevers and the war settled the contest in favor of Rochester.
Hanford's Landing was then called King's Landing, and the mortality from fever
there was terrible.
Mr. S., in a sketch he wrote, said that while living
at the landing the settlers used to spend Sunday in hunting and fishing. He
had some Episcopal books, with which he and Mr. John MASTICK opened services
at a plank school house, and there formed the nucleus of St. Luke's Church.
Mr. SMITH has owned from the early settlement of this
place the land between the Court House and Exchange street, along Buffalo
street, and there he erected the block of buildings which bears his name, and
which was at one time among the best in the city.
Mr. SMITH married a daughter of the late Dr. Levi
WARD, and was the father of several children. Rev. L. Ward SMITH, of
Germantown, Pa., Dr. Geo. Hand SMITH and Edward M. SMITH, of this city, are
his sons. He leaves, we believe, three daughters.
The remains of Mr. SMITH will be brought here for
interment.
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