- MORRIS CLARK SMITH, who was for many years the leading merchant
of Janesville, was
- born at Riga, Monroe County, N.Y., on the 4th day of December,
1820. His parents, Lyman and Eunice (CLARK) SMITH, were natives
of Berkshire County, Mass., and were of early Pilgrim ancestry.
They removed to Monroe County, N.Y. in early life, and were there
numbered among the well-to-do people of the community, being
respected and esteemed as exemplary citizens by all who knew
them.
- Our subject was reared on his father's farm, receiving his
primary education in the district schools,
- and subsequently took a thorough English and mathematical
course at the Churchville Academy. At the age of sixteen years
he started out in life for himself, entering the counting-room
of E. M. CLARK (his mother's brother), a merchant of Royalton,
Niagara County, N.Y., where he spent two years, and there laid
the foundation of his commercial education. From Royalton he
went to Batavia, where he spent seven years in the same line
of business with Alva SMITH. In September, 1843, he was united
in marriage with Miss Bianca J. ALLEN, a daughter of Orange ALLEN,
Esq., of Batavia, N.Y., and a niece of Judge DIBBLE, of that
city, a very distinguished member of the judiciary of New York.
Mrs. SMITH was reared in the best educational and social advantages
that wealth and the society of people of culture and refinement
could afford. She died at Janesville, on the 26th day of April,
1881, leaving, besides her husband, three sons and a daughter
to mourn her loss. She was a lady of singularly amiable and sweet
disposition, who possessed that broad charity which so well becomes
a true Christian spirit. Her devotion to her family and earnest
efforts in behalf of the temporal and spiritual welfare of her
children marked every action of her life. One son, Edgar M.,
died previous to the death of his mother, on the 13th day of
January, 1872, in his twenty-third year. He was a bright, cultivated
and promising young man. The surviving children are: Frank L.,
who is married and resides in Chicago, his present wife being
Kate I. CARTER; Frederick A., who is engaged in merchandising
at Richland Center, Wis.; George H., the youngest son, resides
at Janesville; and Annie B., the only daughter, is the wife of
Herbert A. BAKER, a prominent grocer of this city.
- In the fall of 1847 Mr. SMITH, accompanied by his family,
removed to Janesville, and the follow-
- ing spring, with less than $1,000 capital, engaged in merchandising
on South Main street. His stock consisted of general merchandise,
such as was usually found in the pioneer stores of those days.
He was later joined by his uncle, E. M. CLARK, and, with capital
augmented by the partnership with that gentleman, built a new
store in 1849, and increased his stock of goods, using the old
store exclusively for ready-made clothing, while in the new one
he carried a general stock of dry-goods, hardware, etc., to which,
in 1850, he added a merchant tailoring department, being a pioneer
in that line of business in the city. His career from that time
was marked by success, and his popularity grew with the increased
population of city and county. His connection with Mr. CLARK
continued until that gentleman's death, which was caused by cholera,
in 1854, after which Mr. SMITH was alone in business for a time,
but later formed a partnership with O. K. BENNETT, a brother
of E. H. BENNETT, under the firm name of M. C. SMITH & Co.
This connection continued for two years, when Mr. BENNETT retired.
In 1861 Mr. SMITH changed in business somewhat, and moved into
more commodious quarters in LAPPIN's Block, at the same time
admitting to partnership his old and confidential clerk, J. M.
BOSTWICK (now a successful merchant of Janesville), under the
firm name of SMITH & BOSTWICK, which connection was continued
with marked success for the long period of twenty-one years.
Under the new organization the grocery and hardware business
was discontinued, and the trade of the new firm confined exclusively
to dry-goods, clothing, carpets and merchant tailoring. This
became the leading house in that line in Rock County, the firm
being noted for fair dealing and for the uniform good quality
of stock carried. Mr. SMITH was thoroughly conversant with his
business, and was known as a good buyer, therefore enjoying the
confidence of his customers. In 1871-72 he erected the elegant
and substantial brick block which still adorns the northeast
corner of East Milwaukee and North Main streets. There he opened
with an extensive stock of ready-made clothing, his son Frank
being his partner in the business for a period of twelve years.
His connection with Mr. BOSTWICK continued twenty-one years,
or until 1882, when that gentleman retired to engage himself
in business by himself. In 1864 Mr. SMITH formed a partnership
with R. M. BOSTWICK in the clothing business on South Main street,
which connection continued until 1872. In company with S. C.
CHENEY and J. M. BOSTWICK, he opened a general store at Monroe,
Wis., under the firm name of BOSTWICK, CHENEY & Co. This
firm continued in business until 1882. He also opened a clothing
store at Richland Center, Wis., which later was converted into
a general store, and which is now owned and operated by his son
Frederick.
- Mr. SMITH continued in active business until March, 1885.
His death occurred on the 13th day
- of February, 1886, from typhoid pneumonia after a short illness.
In his death Janesville lost one of her most prominent and respected
citizens, one who had ever been actively identified with her
interests for nearly forty years, and who during that time had
stood foremost among the merchants of the city in enterprise
and extent of business interests, and in influence in municipal
affairs. In politics he was a Democrat, and was chosen to various
positions of honor and trust. In April, 1850, he was chosen Chairman
of the Town Board of Supervisor[s], and was relected [re-elected]
to that position for the years of 1851 and 1852, his last term
ending when the city government began, in 1853. As Supervisor
of the town of Janesville, he was also its sole representative
in the County Board of Supervisors of Rock County for three years.
During those three years Janesville made rapid progress in business
importance, and achieved the dignity of becoming a railroad town,
the first railroad being extended through the city during that
period. When the city government commenced, Mr. SMITH's private
business had grown to such a magnitude that he was obliged to
devote his undivided attention to his personal affairs, and,
although often urged to accept public office, invariably declined,
except when later in life he accepted a position on the School
Board, and was a member of that body at the time of his death.
His influence was always felt in all matters of public importance
pertaining to the city, and his counsel and advice respected.
He will long be remembered as one of the most prominent and popular
merchants of Janesville during his residence here, as well as
a gentleman of genial manners and unquestioned integrity. Upright
and manly in all his intercourse with the world, independent
in though and action, constant in friendship and faithful to
every trust, he enjoyed, as he deserved, the fullest confidence
and unqualified respect of all with whom he came in contact.
His life was an active and useful one; industry and close application,
directed by superior intelligence and business ability of a high
order, won for him a brilliant success, which was untarnished
by any act that was inconsistent with the most scrupulous sense
of honor or commercial integrity. When starting in life he had
but a limited capital, and the very flattering prosperity that
resulted from his efforts can be attributed only to his indefatigable
industry and correct business principles. He was a member of
Western Star Lodge No. 90, A.F. & A.M., and of Janesville
City Lodge No. 90, I.O.O.F. He was also a charter member of the
Janesville Sack Company, and was actively identified with that
organization for twenty-five years. Although not a communicant,
he was in sympathy with the Protestant Episcopal Church, and
was a liberal contributor to Christ Church Parish and to the
charitable and benevolent institutions of the city.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 610-612.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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