SMITH, A.G. 1841-1928

SMITH, STONE

Posted By: Michael J. Kearney (email)
Date: 12/16/2002 at 10:19:04

The Clinton Herald Tuesday December 11, 1928 p. 5 & 9 This morning at 2 o'clock the peaceful repose into which A.G. Smith, president of the City National bank of Clinton, had fallen early last evening, changed into the sleep from which there is no awakening. It was as he would have wished, for in the busy life that extended even up to last Wednesday evening when the doors of the bank closed behind him, he wanted to do his share of the world's work, so long as he was able. Thursday a slight cold caused him to remain at home. A development of influenza necessitated his remaining in bed, but even Sunday he joked with his physician and family, and not until four o'clock yesterday afternoon was there noticeable the change that was coming so quietly. Funeral services will be held at the late home, 431 Fifth avenue, South, Friday afternoon and burial will be in Springdale cemetery, beside the wife who passed on so many years before. Alfred Garrett Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Newell J. Smith, was born April 20, 1841, at Camden, Oneida, County N.Y. spent his boyhood on a farm and acquiring his education in a country school; later he taught school for one season, attended the business college in Syracuse, N.Y. and then entered the drug business in Camden, N.Y. with his cousin, the late A.L. Stone and John M. Stuart, the latter a Clinton resident also for many years. In 1867 he married Elizabeth Cox. One daughter, Anne, was born to them in Camden, passing away there in infancy. In 1870 Mr. Smith brought his wife to Clinton and took up residence in Fifth avenue, adjacent to the site of the present family home. A son, Alfred Cox Smith, was born in that house and by the death of Mrs. Smith in 1886 was left alone with his father, at the age of eleven. Left to mourn are his son and his son's wife, Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Smith, their two daughters, Eleanor and Elizabeth Ann, and a host of business associates and friends. To friends of recent times and to those of many years standing there is today a feeling of sadness at the passing of a man who always had a kind word and smile, a cherry quip even when business was most strenuous. Yet with all his kindliness there was innately a gentleman, with whom none took liberties, and he sleeps in that upper room, robed in the dignity that was his heritage and birthright. One of his many men friends, one who had known and revered Mr. Smith in all the years as a neighbor, counselor and friend, has written an appreciation that is expressive of the thought uppermost today: "Another good man is gone. A.G. Smith, for many years, head of the City National bank and regarded as a personal friend by hundreds of our citizens, has joined the great majority and left a deep sense of loss in our hearts. His life centered in his home and in the bank with which he had been connected for fifty-eight years,--- first as partner with his cousin, the late A.L. Stone, in the firm of Stone and Smith and after it became the City National Bank in 1880, successively as cashier, president and chairman of the board. "He was at his desk in the bank less than a week before his death which was without suffering, and just a continuation of a peaceful sleep. Fortunate he was in reaching the age of 87 years in full possession of his faculties and without the distressing handicaps which so often afflict the aged. Active in the bank until almost the last day of his life, he died as he must have wished. "After the death of Mrs. Smith in 1886 their son was left alone with his father at the age of eleven years. For long years A.G. affectionately so-called by all who knew him well waited for the son to grow up and lived alone during many of these years while the son was away at school. But for nearly thirty years past he had with his son the home he craved. "The passing of old friends in his own generation had made him in recent years a lonely man again but he had the faculty of inspiring affection. In people of all ages and in a remarkable degree his gift for friendship had brought him a succession of new friends in every walk of life. "His life was an open book devoted to the service of the community and his friends without blowing of trumpets and always, as far as possible, from the glare of the spotlight. "His good deeds were not of the kind to warrant publicity and that lie always avoided. But there are many who will never forget the warm clasp of his helping hand and the good cheer he conveyed in his greeting. "He was for many years a member of the Congregational church of this city and of DeMolay Consistory Scotish Rite Masons. Some years ago he was given the honorary 33rd degree by the Scottish Rite supreme council." The oldest history of Clinton county published has the following to say of the banking institution with which Mr. Smith was so long identified. Stone and Smith's Early in 1870, the business expansion of the city fully justified the establishment of a second bank, by Mrssrs. A.L. Stone and A.G. Smith, who had, for many years, conducted a successful business in New York state. Ample means and careful and straightforward business methods soon won for them a prominent place amoung our financial institutions, which has to the present time (1879) been steadily maintained. The bank occupies the Stratton block, built expressly for its purpose in 1873-4. In anticipation of the day when his friend might pass on either before or after him, D.H. Wingel, longtime friend of A.G. Smith, penned an appreciation of Mr. Smith "I have lost my best friend" said Mr. Winget today, as he sat at his desk and contemplated the long years of friendship that culminated in Mr. Smith's death tis morning. Then he produced that appreciation, written he explained, "to be remembered should my friend follow or procede me out to Springdale." The appreciation follows. In the book "Heart Throbs," the prize poem is "The Man Who Lives by the Side of the Road and is Ever a Friend of Man." As I write this I am not sure that I will outlive the man who fills the bill. A.G. Smith of Clinton, Iowa. True it is his was "no humble cot by the side of the road, but from his position of wealth and affluence, he reached out. When I say he reached out, I do not mean that he sat in a cushioned chair and wrote his check for this or that "society for the relief of the poor" but that he, the chairman of one of the biggest banks banks in Iowa, turned up his collar, when the mercury had to look up to find zero, and with his trusty team of horses, Net and Mabel, went out to bring comfort and sunshine into the houses and hearts of the old and infirm -- those who in the battle of life had fought and lost. Many, there be in the race of life, who have struggled and fought and --- lost. Some, in the battle of life have won, many in fact. But how many of those who, having reached the goal of prosperity have from their vantage ground, looked back, or reached out a helping hand to those who are still struggling -- hoping against hope, fighting, and still fighting until old age finds them among the vast army of the defeated. Let us turn to the history of the multimillionaires who have given libraries, rest rooms, play grounds, parks and the like to the public. Good in its way, and it was a good way, But How many individuals will drop a single tear on the passing of these of many millions? Mighty few, But when we come to a man in our own city who has gone into the humble homes and brought sunshine; who has in his own quiet way, carried out literally the command of the Savior "Feed My Lambs" the million daily gifts of the Public benefactor sink into insignificance beside those of our own A.G. Smith. His life is one which turned pessiists into optimists and through him, the sombre cloud was turned, in may lives, to show the silver lining. His life was a living proof of the Rotary slogan "He profits most who serves best." His life has been one of service. It has not been confined to the cent per cent of a banker, though he served his stockholders wisely and well. His service has entered the homes of the lowly, and has fended the wolf from the door. He was universally known as the real safe adviser of Clinton people.
The Clinton Herald Wednesday December 12, 1928 Clinton citizens today continued to voice their sympathy and grief over the death of A.G. Smith, Clinton banker, who died yesterday and whose funeral will be held Friday. Mr. Smith as the dean of Clinton bankers and was held in the highest esteem by all who had come to know him during his more than 50 years as head of the City National bank. Tributes to the memory of this deceased were voiced in various quarters today, among people in all walks of life, from the humblest to the most exhalted in the city. His rugged honesty, progressive industry and ready sympathy had endeared him to the whole city.
Banks of the city will close at 1 o'clock Friday afternoon out of respect for the memory of the late A.G. Smith, chairman of the board of directors of the City National bank, who died yesterday. Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be held that afternoon. Louis Franklin, Clinton business man, said today: "I have no words with which to express my grief at the passing of Mr. Smith, who was a real friend to me. When I first began business in Clinton, I had hard times and when I was very near to going out, was falling, hegave me a helping hand. "Every time I went into the bank I looked toward his desk in order to receive a friendly glance from him, and during the past few days, when he was not at his desk, I thought "there must be something wrong," but never dreamed that he was so ill. He was one of my best friends. He has been a friend to many and I know that God in heaven will reward him for his many kindnesses."
Funeral services for A.G. Smith will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the late home 431 Fifth avenue, South. Interment will be in Springdale cemetery.