William Gardner Smith

As printed in 1910

WILLIAM GARDNER SMITH.

William Gardner Smith during the years of his manhood in Davenport was a familiar figure in those circles where the intelligent and interesting men of the city were wont to gather. He was long closely associated with commercial interests here and sustained an unassailable reputation, owing to the fact that he never made engagements that he did not keep nor incur obligations that he did not meet. He enjoyed to the fullest extent the respect of his contemporaries and associates.

Mr. Smith was born in this city, July 19, 1861, a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Smith, long prominent and honored residents here. After attending the schools of Davnport and acquiring therein a good English education, well fitting him for life's practical and responsible duties, he went to North Dakota, but after a year returned home and accepted the position of bookkeeper with the firm of Smith & McCullough, furniture dealers, his father being the senior member. This was one of the oldest and best established houses of the city and after the death of Mr. McCullough William G. Smith entered into partnership relations with his father, the enterprise being then conducted under the firm name of A. J. Smith & Son. Following the father's death in 1898 the business was incorporated and William G. Smith remained at its head, occupied with the interests of successful management, until 1901, when his health failed and he disposed of the store. He was a man of good business judgment, very accurate, systematic and methodical, and his enterprise led him to continually broaden the scope of his activities and thereby increase his usefulness. A short time prior to his death he aided in organizing and establishing the E. W. Gates Lumber Company. With keen sagacity he saw and utilized opportunities that others passed by heedlessly and in his entire business career he exemplified the truth of the old adage that "honesty is the best policy."

On the nth of November, 1887, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Cora Scott, a daughter of Colonel and Mrs. Thomas Scott, of Davenport. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith was blessed with one child, Eugene Gardner, who is at home with his mother.

As printed in History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa : Illustrated (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.