Press enter after choosing selection

A Michigan Clerk

A Michigan Clerk image
Parent Issue
Day
3
Month
December
Year
1880
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

llev. Hyatt Smith, oongressman-elect of the third district, is the sou of a Yankee BChóolmaster. His father's sister, while a sohoolmistreM ut Lictbfield, Mass., taught Hcnry Ward Beecher to read. He was bom at Saratoga, N. Y., in 1824. At 10 years of age Ce beoame errand boy for a doctor in Albaiiy. He broke away from his omployuiunt soon after and went to Michigan, where be got a clerkship in a store in Detroit. Anson Burüngame was then t boy in the same town, and be and Hyatt Suiiih becauie fast friends. The hefcrta ofboth were filled with air castles. They took long walks and discussed the future. One day, earryiug a bible, they went far into tlie woods, and placing their hauds upon tbe buok, solemnly swore tbcy wuiild oue day Lecouie ueuibers of congrcss. Mr. Burlingauie was elected to OODgreM by the republicans of the flllh district of Massachusetts in 1854, in 1856 and again in 1858. He subsequently was ap])ointed Minister to China, and then he beca)ne uinbassador froni China to the United StaU-. Zauhariah Chanáler took a deep interest in young Smith, and volunteered to pay the expenses of his education for the luiuisiiy. Mr. Chandler was unable tt) keep his piouiise, but Mr. Smith having determinad to beoonie a preacher, returneil io Albatiy, went liuok tu the doctor's office and began to study. He f'ound a inore reuiunerative position in the eonimercial bank of Alliany, and after five years of sludy and work he was licensed to preach in the l'earl treet Baptist church in this city in 1848. He went fint to Pougkeepsie, theu to Cleveland, Buffalo, and to i'lnladelphia, where hisehureh, during the war, was known as the " Headquarters of the Anuy." Under the auspices of the Chrisiian Dómmiaaioó he went to the battle fields ofOettysburg and Frederioksburg to care f'or the Union soldiers. Gen. Grant pirsonally aeknowledged his servioes, saying that Mr. Smith was one of those who foughtthe battle8 of liberty at home while he fought them od the battle field. Mr. Smith became pastor of the Lee avenue Baptist church tourteen years ago. He has enjoyed uiuch popularity since. His ohurcli withdrew from the Long Island Baptist association some years ago, as a result of'a conlroversy over hiu right to baptize converts by sjiriukling as well as by ininiersiou. Mr. Smith is 59 years oíd, has black hair, dark eyes, a brunette complexion, and clean .shaven face. He is anable in uanner, and is about as good a story teller as Mr. S. S. Cox. He goes now and then to the theatre, and is so uiuch of a mimic that he has long had tbe reputation of having been an actor himself. Tuis, however, is not true. Mr. Smith one night visited Booth's theater to see Edwin Booth n " Hamlet." On his way to his seat with hin daughter he eucouutered one of tbe strictest members of hisehureh in the same aisle. "Oh, you sinner," said Mr. Smith, "prepare to be eburched. I have a long time suspected that sonie of my church members were theatre goers, and I determined to find out myself. I biought my daughter along as a witness, and the first one we see is yourself." The church member was so surprised to meet his pastor in in the theatre that at first he believed himself in dangor of discipline, but when he miw the minister clapping his hands and heard him while they were eating saddle rock oysters afterward, enthusiastically praise Kdwin Booth, his doubts were all dissipated. A chance sermón in opposition to the system of prison labor attracted the attention of the hatters, whose trade suffered by the system, and he became their candidate for state senator last fall in the second district, but he withdrew from the race. Tbe hatters put him in the field for congress this fall, and the independent republicans and regular democrats indorsed his nomination. Mr. Smith is a eon.-ervative republican, and will i)rubably act independently in congress.

Article

Subjects
Ann Arbor Courier
Old News