Smith, Milo

SMITH, CALLENDER, CHIPMAN, HIGLEY, ESTERBROOK, DODGE, OATMAN, BAKER, CARUTHERS, WALKER, GARDNER, STONE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 2/14/2003 at 15:51:19

COLONEL MILO SMITH 

More than forty-six years have passed since Colonel Smith arrived in Iowa, and he is justly numbered among her honored pioneers and leading citizens. He has been prominently identified with her business interests as a railroad builder and as a factor in the control of many enterprises which have contributed in large measure to the welfare and prosperity of the communities in which they have been located, as well as to his individual success. His is an honorable record of a conscientious man, who by his upright life ahs won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. For four score years he ahs traveled the journey of life, and although the snows of many winters have whitened his hair he has the vigor of a much younger man and in spirit and interest seems yet in his prime. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness or inactivity. It need not suggest, as a matter of course, want of occupation or helplessness. There is an old age that is benediction to all that comes in contact with it, that gives our of its rich stores of learning and experience and grows stronger intellectually as the years pass. Such is the life of Colonel Smith, an encouragement to his associates and an example well worthy of emulation to the young.

Milo Smith, now a resident of Clinton, was born in Shoreham township, Addison county, Vermont, January 25, 1819, a son of James Smith and a grandson of John Smith, who was a native of Massachusetts and a hatter by trade. He fought in the Revolutionary war at Bunker Hill and in consideration for his services in the war for independence received the tract of land on which our subject was born. He also bought a large tract there, took up his abode thereon, cleared the place and carried on agricultural pursuits. His death occurred when he was about eighty years of age. He married the daughter of a Revolutionary colonel, and her death occurred when she was ninety-two years of age. She was a pensioner of the government. They battled with the Indians in their pioneer home, and wild animals were a constant menace.
All of their children with one exception reached the age of eighty-five years, namely: John, James and William, twins, Samuel, Josiah, Mrs. Betsey Callender, Mrs. Sarah Callender, Mrs. Polly Chipman, Mrs. Eunice Higley.

James Smith, the father of our subject, and his brother William, obtained a grant of land and deed thereto in 1801, and later the father purchased the brother’s interest, and made his home thereon throughout his remaining days. It now belongs to one of his nephews. The original house is still standing, being used as a wood-shed and cheese house. The second residence erected is a very fine one. James Smith married Sarah Cochran, of New Hampshire, and his death occurred at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-six. Their children who reached mature years were: James, William, Joseph, Milo and Eliza, the wife of Captain E. Esterbrook. The father of this family served in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of Plattsburg.

Colonel Smith, of this review, was reared upon the home farm and attended the public schools, after which he entered Newton Academy, at Shoreham, Vermont. At the age of seventeen he began teaching, and three years later went to Rochester, New York. In 1840 he made his way westward to Chicago, Illinois, and through the three succeeding winters engaged in educational work in the schools of Belvidere, Illinois, While in the summer he engaged in the operation of a farm which he had purchased while serving as county surveyor. In 1848, when the first railroad enterprise was originated west of Chicago, he accepted the contract to make the survey and run the compass line on the old Elgin State Line Railroad, known as the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad. In 1852 he was appointed chief engineer and superintendent of the Elgin State Line Railroad. In 1855 he came to Iowa and was made chief engineer and superintendent of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, now the Chicago & Northwestern line. In this position his ability as a financier and his skill as an engineer were severely taxed, but stood the test splendidly. During the financial panic of 1855-6 Colonel Smith carried the company successfully through the financial crisis and to facilitate transportation and utilize the entire line already completed he built a bridge across the east half of the Mississippi river and at the same time constructed a boat transfer to convey loaded cars over the west half, thus enabling the road to continue its business with uninterrupted connection with the west. In 1852 he surveyed the Elgin State Line Railroad and completed it in 1855.

When colonel Smith came to Clinton, in 1855, the city of Clinton did not exist and not an inhabitant was on the place and he saw the first shanty in which a meal could be served, erected in front of the present Milwaukee freight depot. He continued his work of railroad construction and has thus been largely instrumental in opening up the great section of the west for improvement, for the railroad is ever the avant courier of civilization. Through the next decade the country was aroused over the slavery question and the attitude of the south toward the Union. At length the war cloud burst, and in 1862 Mr. Smith was commissioned by Governor Kirkwood to take command of the Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry as colonel, and thus served until February, 1865. He was twice seriously wounded, but though his injuries were quite alarming his strong constitution enabled him soon to rally and again engage in active duty. His regiment formed a part of the First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and continued in service until the close of the war. He was with General Sherman in his movements in and around Vicksburg and Atlanta and on the memorable march to the sea. For eight months he was in command of the First Brigade of the First Division of the Fifteenth Army Corps, and continued in service until the close of the war. He was with General Sherman in his movements in and around Vicksburg and Atlanta and on the memorable march to the sea. For eight months he was in command of the First Brigade of the First Division of the Fifteenth Corps and his distinguished service won high encomiums from his brother officers and the government officials. He possessed superior military ability combined with marked modesty of character. He has been prominent and foremost in all civil enterprises and equally so in military undertakings, and he led his men in many a gallant charge and action, his own bravery inspiring them to deeds of valor. “He jests at scars who never felt a wound,” but to most people they are the badge of honor, the mark of courage, and those which Colonel Smith bears are certainly of this character.

Since the war the Colonel has been connected with furthering many railroad enterprises and has been an active factor in the upbuilding of Clinton, his adopted city. In his career he has manifested great energy, foresight and thoroughness of his ability to overcome obstacles is proverbial. From the moment that he becomes connected with an enterprise which before has been regarded as a chimera or at least of doubtful expediency, it takes on a practical guise, assumes the elements of good working conditions and other men then give it their support. The Colonel has always declined official preferment, although he could undoubtedly have won high honors in this regard had he so desired. He has preferred to faithfully perform his duties as a private citizen, aiding his country in other ways than through the avenue of office. Although he is now practically living retired in Clinton, he is yet financially interested in many enterprises. He has served as vice-president of the Clinton National Bank and is now a director of the City National Bank, also owns considerable property and a fine residence in Clinton, and at one time he conducted the Revere Hotel, which he still owns.

In 1887 a commission of five men were appointed by the governor to take charge of the Soldiers’ Home, then being constructed at Marshalltown, Iowa. These men, unbeknown to our subject, elected him superintendent, which position he filled for five years and then resigned.

Colonel Smith was first married, in 1847, when Miss Mary J. Dodge, of Shirley, Massachusetts, became his wife. They had one child, George W. while on their way west, in 1853, as passengers on the Atlantic, the steamer collided with the propeller, Ogdensburg, and was sunk, Mrs. Smith, their only child and Mrs. Smith’s sister all being drowned. In 1854 the Colonel wedded Miss Dernis E. Oatman, of Geneva, New York, who died in 1868, and in 1869 he married Mrs. Charlotte Baker, who bore the maiden name of Charlotte Caruthers, and was the widow of Colonel James Baker, who was killed at Shiloh. She was a native of Virginia. After her demise Colonel Smith married Mrs. Lucius Walker, nee Emeline Gardner, and by Mr. Walker she had three children: Gardner, Lucius and Mrs. Alice Stone.

With the old army comrades the Colonel retains pleasant relations through his membership in General N. B. Baker Post, G. A. R., of which he served as the first commander and since that time ahs filled the office three times. He is emphatically a self-made man and in him is personified the genius and adaptability of America-elements that have led to the wonderful development of this land. Bold, progressive and successful in his undertakings, by his superior ability and indefatigable industry he has secured wealth and at the same time has maintained a high reputation for integrity and benevolence.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.