One of the most accomplished, cultivated,refined and exemplary citizens of Davenport was Richard Smetham. At the same time it is doubtful if any man who ever lived in the town was so little understood. The innate modesty of the man was such that he was reserved almost to exclusiveness, and this reserve was mistaken by every one for coldness, or lack of sympathetic feeling for his fellow man, until years of acquaintanceship brought with them an insight into the depth of kindly feeling and soulfulness concealed behind this seeming reserve. And even then only a kindred spirit could fully appre ciate the warm-hearted generosity of his nature.
Richard Smetham was born in England, January 8, 1819, and immigrated to this country in May, 1846. From that time to his death he made Davenport bis home, only once revisiting his native land, and this long contemplated visit he deferred until the closing days of his career. As the autumn of his life came on, his desire to once more behold the scenes of his youth became so strong that he determined to cross the Atlantic, and this he did in 1885. In November of that year he was visiting relatives at Southport, England, when he was taken with the illness that proved fatal. He died at that place November 25, 1885.
He was a man of high order of literary ability, and yet his natural reserve was such that he shrank from giving to the public any of the productions of his ready and facile pen. Only one little poetic gem we believe ever found its way into print; this was a description of a prairie sunset in autumn, and abounds in beautiful imagery and fine poetic sentiment, evidencing the fact that the writer, had he chosen, might have taken high rank as a poet.
He chose rather, however, to spend his days in the more prosaic and retired walks of life, and in the paths he chose it can only be said he did his duty faithfully and well.
During his residence in Davenport he was eight years in the post office, eight years in the County treasurer's office, eight years cashier of the Davenport Savings Bank, and was for some time connected with the adjutant-general's office, and for some years was the recording secretary of the Scott County Pioneer Settlers' Association. He was also a life member of the Davenport Academy of Science, and an active worker in and earnest supporter of that institution.
It is much to be regretted that one so highly gifted as Mr. Smetham should have refrained from giving to the world the benefits of his genius, for that he possessed genius of a high order those who knew him best themselves men of ability, science and culture all agree. Dr. Parry, the eminent scientist, in speaking of the poem before alluded to, says: In its keen appreciation of natural scenery, its graphic imagery, tender vein of pathos, and polished poetic diction, it would be worthy the pen of a Gray or a Bryant.
BIOGRAPHIES