William Bemsen Smith

As printed in 1904

WILLIAM REMSEN SMITH, M. D.

Dr. William Bemsen Smith is numbered among the builders and promoters of Sioux City and the city classes him with its honored and distinguished dead. As a practitioner of medicine he was widely recognized for his skill and ability; as an agriculturist he was progressive and prosperous; as a public official he was most prompt and reliable in the discharge of the duties that devolved upon him; and yet while all of these qualities won for him the respect and confidence of his fellow men it was his great warm heart that gained for him the love and deep affection of all with whom he was associated and caused his memory to be revered and cherished throughout the city in which he made his home. "He was," said a friend of many years standing, "the sweetest-souled man destiny ever granted to a community."

Dr. Smith was born December 30, 1828, at Barncgat, New Jersey, and passed away at his home in Sioux City in 1894, his life record therefore covering nearly sixty-six years. He was only seven years of age at the time of his father's death, and his youth was largely a period of toil, although to some extent he attended the public schools near his home. He worked upon the farm through the summer months and was also employed in a harnessmaking shop until the removal of the family to Michigan. In that state he became identified

PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURI COl \TY 39]

with scl 1 work;.s a teacher, but ambitious to with the Republican party upon its organization enter another field of professional labor, he and was for years a recognized leader in its husbanded his financial resources until he was ranks in his adopted county and state. Eestood able to go to New York city and enter upon loyally as one of its defenders when to do so preparation for the practice of medicine. He means not partisanship, but the support of the attended three courses of lectures there and government and the Union cause. The first then returning to the east opened an office in military service which he rendered was in con Macon, where he remained until 1856, the nection with a local company of united rifleyear of his arrival in Si,,nx City, Iowa. He men who quelled the Indian uprising in 1861. found here a small town, of inconsequential Dr. Smith acted as first lieutenant at that time.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

In the meantime, three years after his arsential for the health of the "boys in blue." rival in Sioux City, Dr. Smith returned to I„ March, L863, Dr. Smith was chosen by Tecumseh, Michigan, and there, in 1859, was popular suffrage for the office of mayor of Sioux united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Osborne. City, ami two months later he was appointed He brought his bride to his new home and surgeon for the board of enrollment for this as the years passed by eight sons were adddistrict, serving until December, 1864. For ed to the household, hut six are now deceased, several years he was also examining surgeon for Those living are: R. II. Burton Smith, the pension bureau. Other governmental duties now a lawyer of Sioux City, and Milton Perwere assigned him when on the 15th of.Inly, ry Smith, of the Sioux City foundry. Mrs. 1865, he was appointed receiver of the United Smith spent three years at Cambridge, Massa- States hmd office and faithfully discharged its chusettts, while her son was pursuing a law important duties until the office was removed course in Harvard College. The family ivlato I )es Moines in 1878. It is said thai l he tion was largely an ideal one. it was hut business of the office in a single year amounted natural with a man of Dr. Smith- -real heart to a million dollars, in the year of his retirethat the home should he ever first to him. and ment from that office he was appointed honorary that he counted no personal sacrifice on his part commissioner from Eowa to the Paris Expositoo-rear if it would promote the welfare or tion ami his report as such was well received enhance the happiness of his wife and children, and found place in many new-papers and pe-

Dr. Smith also made for himself an excelriodicals, both in Europe and America. Tn lent reputation in public service as an official 1 ss i he was again elected mayor of Sioux City, whose first interest was the welfare of the peoami for fifteen years he was a member of the pie whom he served. Tie became identified school hoard. He ever exercised his official prerogatives for the benefit and upbuilding of the city, and as a private citizen was equally alert to the possibilities for advancement, growth and improvement here, being a cooperant factor in the great majority of movements for the general welfare. In 1885 he platted his home farm of eighty acres, on which he had lived for many years, making it one of the important additions to Sioux City. It is called Smith's Villa and is one of the most attractive residence portions of the city. In 1885 he became one of the organizers of Unity church, served as a member and president of its board of trustees, contributed generously to its support and labored effectively and untiringly for the extension of its influence until his death, which occurred on the ist of July, 1894.

Dr. Smith traveled extensively, both in his native country and foreign lands, thus gaining the broad knowledge and cosmopolitan culture which only travel can bring, but while he took great delight in visiting scenes of modern and historic interest and in meeting men of deep learning, his interest centered in his home city, the friends of his early and mature manhood and in his family. His sympathy, however, was as broad as the universe. Few men have so strongly exemplified in their daily lives a belief in the "brotherhood of man." He was never happier than when contributing to the welfare and happiness of others and his love went out in double measure to the children and to those whom fate or some untoward circumstance compelled to bear the heavier burdens of life. His wife shared with him in all his benevolent work and they were associated in establishing in Sioux City the beautiful park known as Smith's Villa Children's Park, although it was named Emmerton, in honor of their son. In recent years the ladies of Sioux City have undertaken the work of beautifying this park and in July, 1902, they erected there a beautiful fountain as a memorial to Dr. Smith. Its dedication was made the occasion for a memorable public celebration, participated in by the officials of the city, the pioneer settlers, prominent people of the community and not the least by the children for whose use the park had been established. On one side, the fountain bears the inscription: "By his friends. 'A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.' " Such a man was Dr. Smith. "He had," said an old friend, "the qualities essential to friendship — truthfulness, frankness, faithfulness and patience, a sympathy that entered into the joy, the sorrows and the interests of his friends. He delighted in their upward progress and stretched out a helping hand to those who fell by the way. Because of these qualities we remember and honor him."

G. W. Wakefield, in an address delivered at the dedication of the fountain, spoke of Dr. Smith's personal characteristics in the following manner: "He was a man of great culture and refinement, of tender sympathies and kindly words; his arm was ever extended to the poor and needy — his genial voice bore hospitable welcome in its every tone; his smile warmed the hearts of all who felt it with a summer glow, and wherever he went sunshine followed in his train. His monument, more enduring than marble, is erected in the hearts of his friends."

GOBDOX B. BADGEEl >W.

Gordon B. Badgerow is the present postmaster of Sioux City. The career of Mr. Badgerow has been characterized by unflagging energy, perseverance and strong determination ami he can truly be termed one of Iowa's successful men.

As printed in Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa (1904). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.