Page:One of a thousand.djvu/574

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560 SMITH. SMITH. industry, where education, next to religion, was considered the one thing needful. For this, money was freely spent, and the fire- side-school occupied the winter evenings. After the preliminary training in the public schools of his native town, he entered Wil- liston Seminary, and was in the New York Central College from 185 1 to '55. He then became a teacher in the latter institution, remaining until 1858. He was subsequently professor of mathe- matics in Eleutherian College, Indiana, until i860 ; principal of Lewiston Academy, Pa., two years, and principal of the Collins- ville high school from 1862 to '65. He then returned to the old homestead and engaged in agricultural pursuits, where he still remains. Mr. Smith was married in Cincinnatus, N. Y., December 30, 1857, to Harriet Louisa, daughter of Dr. Lyman and Adelphia (Carter) Eldredge. ( )f this union are seven children : Sophia Adelphia, Theodore Win- throp, Gerald Birney, Louis Carter, Kate Winnifred, Edward Cecil, and Samuel El- dredge Smith. Mr. Smith has been active in church and Sunday-school work, serving as superin- tendent of the Sunday-school and as treas- urer and chairman of the executive com- mittee. He was treasurer of the Highland Agri- cultural Society from 1865 to '89, and select- man from 1870 to '85. He was a member of the House of Representatives in 1885, serving upon three important committees. Aside from his devotion to agricultural pursuits, Mr. Smith has found time to teach high schools at Middlefield, Hinsdale, Ches- ter, and Huntington. His eldest daughter is engaged in teaching in the Sandwich Islands, and his eldest son, of Brown Univer- sity, is teaching in the Polytechnic Insti- tute, Worcester. SMITH, Nathan Gilman, son of Phinehas B. and Margaret S. (Wiggin) Smith, was born at Roxbury, Norfolk county, March 30, 1840. He received his early education in the Washington school at Roxbury, and in the Roxbury Latin school, and in 1858 began a business career in the employ of E. M. Stoddard & Co., dealers in ice, his father being a member of the firm. In 1862 he enlisted in the 41st Massa- chusetts infantry, afterwards 3d Massachu- setts cavalry, serving with General Banks in his Louisiana campaign. During the exciting and memorable siege of Port Hudson he participated in the assaults thereon, and was one of the famous " for- lorn-hope storming party " which General Banks commended so highly for bravery at one of the darkest moments of the war, when manly sacrifices were necessary for the success of the Union arms. After the capitulation of this most impor- tant post he was promoted to a captaincy, and given command of one of the com- panies of the 75th United States colored infantry, afterwards serving as commissary, quartermaster and post-adjutant, also as United States provost-marshal, until his regiment was mustered out of service in 1865. After the war he decided to spend a few years in Louisiana among the ex- confederates, in the cotton planting busi- ness. In the winter of i867-'68 he was appointed chairman of the board of registration for the Parish of Rapides. Returning in the summer of 186S to Mas- sachusetts, he once more entered the ice in- dustry, and is at the present time treasurer and general manager of the Jamaica Pond Ice Company. Mr. Smith was married at Hollis, Maine, April 25, 1 87 2, to Julia Frances, daughter of Joseph Woodman and Philomelia (Broughton) Haley. Mr. Smith was elected on the board of the Boston city council in i88i-'82, served on the board of aldermen in 1886, '87, and '88, receiving the honor of a nomination at the hands of all political parties. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R. and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, a Knight Templar of official rank in Joseph Warren Commandery, and also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. SMITH, Nathaniel Austin, son of Austin and Sallie (Montague) Smith, was born in Sunderland, Franklin county, Feb- ruary 13, 1821. He received a good education in the public schools of his native town, supple- mented by a course at Williston Seminary, Easthampton. He then remained at home upon the farm till he had reached his twentieth year, and for the five succeeding years taught school during the winter months. He was married November 26, 1846, at Sunderland, to Clara J., daughter of Stephen and Esther Gunn of that place. He has two children : Austin I), and Em- ma F. Smith. Mr. Smith has always resided in Sunder- land, and during the greater part of his life has been engaged in agricultural labors. He continued farming jointly with his