- SAMUEL MELANCTHON SMITH, M.A., is a young attorney of Janesville,
Rock County,
- whose knowledge of law and general business ability have
been fittingly recognized by his appointment as attorney and
secretary of the Janesville Machine Co. He is rapid and accurate
in everything that relates to the interest of the company with
which he is associated, and in a general way is regarded as one
of the abler and more progressive members of the Rock County
Bar..
- Mr. SMITH was born in Galena, Ill., June 29, 1869, and is
a son of Rev. Dr. Ambrose C. and
- Hannah L. (SLAYMAKER) SMITH, both natives of Pennsylvania.
Dr. SMITH was pastor of the south Presbyterian Church of Galena
for twenty-three years, until 1889, when he was elected president
of Parsons College at Fairfield, Iowa. He held that position
until 1896, when, by reason of broken health, he had to give
up work. Mr. SMITH has two brothers: Henry S., a physician of
Negaunee, Mich.; and Edward A., a dentist of Madison, Wisconsin.
- Samuel M. SMITH was educated in the schools of Galena and
under the private instruction of his
- father. He was a member of the graduating class of 1890
from Beloit College, receiving the degree of B. A., and three
years later received the degree of M. A. He made a good record
at school, both as a gentleman and as a student, and on his graduation
secured a position as teacher in the School for the Blind, at
Janesville. This position he held for one year, and was then
made bookkeeper for the Merchants & Mechanics Savings Bank
in that city. He had read law to a considerable extent while
in the bank, and attended the law school at Madison, taking the
course to within three months of completion, leaving the law
school to accept the position of assistant cashier of the Merchants
& Mechanics Savings Bank of Janesville. In the spring of
1894, while still connected with the bank, he was admitted to
the Bar, and a year later became the junior member of the law
firm of WHITEHEAD, MATHESON & SMITH, entering upon the practice
of his profession under very favorable auspices. In October,
1897, he was selected as attorney for the Janesville Machine
Co., and, as noted above, was soon afterward chosen secretary
of same.
- Mr. SMITH and Miss Margaret SHELDON were married Nov. 11,
1896. Mrs. SMTIH is a
- daughter of Alfred H. SHELDON, and was born and reared in
the city of Janesville. She is a lady of many gifts and graces.
Mr. SMITH is a Republican, and is a member of the school board
from the Third ward. He is a member and trustee of the First
Presbyterian Church, and at the present time is serving as a
member of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian
Association. He belongs to a college fraternity. Mr. SMITH
owns his home at No. 305 South Third street.
- Since the above sketch was written Mr. SMITH, in March, 1900,
resigned his position with the
- Janesville Machine Co., to accept the position of secretary
of the Wisconsin State Tax Commission, at Madison, and in April,
1901, left the latter position to take the secretaryship of the
Board of Control, Endowment Rank, Knights of Pythias, in the
head office at Chicago; this position carries with it the management
of the insurance branch of the order.
-
- Taken from "Commemorative Biographical Record of
the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin"
(c)1901, pp. 931-932.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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