Obituary

SMITH- Died in Adrian, Mich., August 27, 1883, Col. Sylvester B. Smith. Col. Smith was born in Raisin, Lenawee Co., Mich., September 19th, 1832. His father was one of the pioneers of the county and took up land from the government in 1834. Sylvester lived with his father upon the farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he engaged in other business. He received a fair education, and began to teach when eighteen years of age. In 1854 he went to Morenci and acted as salesman and book-keeper for different firms until 1861. During his residence there he was elected clerk of the township of Senaca and also elected to other offices. At the breaking out of the rebellion he was active in raising recruits for the union army, his company being assigned to the eleventh Michigan infantry. He received the commission of major in August 1862. During the engagement at Stone river he was seriously wounded in the face and neck, which rendered him unfit for service afterward. Immediately after the battle, he was commissioned lieutenant Colonel, but was obliged to resign, and returned home in 1863. He moved to Adrian in the fall of 1864. Many and varied were the offices of trust that were conferred upon him, all of which he filled with honor. None ever questioned his honesty or integrity, but he ever had the confidence and esteem of the people. We have long and intimately known Col. Smith, and we think we are correct when we say that in his death Adrian has lost one of her most valued citizens. He was active in business, and ever aimed to exert an influence in the right direction. The cause of justice and humanity was ever near his heart. He was twice married and besides a large circle of relatives and friends he leaves a widow and two sons upon whom this bereavement falls with crushing weight. The deceased was a cousin of Miss Sarah Beal and Prof. J. B. Steere of this city.