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Obituary

Obituary image
Parent Issue
Day
8
Month
January
Year
1875
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The telegraph announoes the death of Gerrit Smith, whioh event occurred at the ïesidence of Gen. Johu Coobrane, in the city of New York. His death was suddcn, the disease beingacombination of apoploxy and paralyais. Mr. Smith was a son of Peter Smitb, in liis day one of the largest land-holders in America, and was boni in Utica, N. Y. , iu March. 1797. He graduated at Hamilton College in 1818. Inheriting from bis father vaat wealth, mainly in landed property, he was freed from tho neCessity of entering upon any business pursnit, and, in fact, the care of his large property required so much of his attention as to make ït impossible for him to devote his time to other matters. Though he never fctudiedjlaw regalarly he was admitted to practico in the State and Federal Courts in 1853, and subsequently participated in many important tria's. At an early age he manifested great interest in benevolent and educational enterprises, and ho was most widoly known as a philanthropist. He was for years prominently identifled with theanti-slavery movement, and his gif ts in aid of that canse -were numrous and liberal. From 1825 to 1835 he was connected with the American Colonization Society, and gave liberally of his means to further its objects. At the latter date, however, he withdrew from that society, and devotedhis time more S'xlly to the interest of the Anti-elavery Society. Mr. Smith never held but one piïblic oiïice. He w.is elected to Congress in 1852, but resigned his seat at the close of the long term, partly on account of his dislike for public affliirs, parijv on Pjccount of the pressing llanda of bis private business. Mr. Stuitii, though the possessor bj inherïtauco of vast landtd possessions, was opposed on principie to land monopoly, and to give force to his teachings on ;his subject he distributed partly to jjstitutions of learning, bilt principally ;o poor white and black alike- about 200,000 acres of laad. AlvaU Crocker. Hon. Alvah Orooker, one of the oldest men in the Forty-third Congresa, died at his residenoo in Fitchburg, Mass., a few days ago, at the advaneed age of 73 years. Mr. Crocker was a self-mado inau. He began business aa a rag-picker in a paper mili in Fitchburg, and in a few yeara became partner and solo ownw of the mili, and by earnest, persistent industry soon became one of the most influential and wealthy men of the placa. Ho also took great interest in railroad matters, was prime mo"er in the building of the Fitchbuig and Boston road, and afterwards the Vermont and Massachusetts road, runniDg from Fitchburg to tho Hoosac Tunnel, and which, at that time, it was thought folly to undertake to build, so seenjingly insurmountable were the obstaoles. He ïdentiüed hiniself Jargely in pnhing ahead acts by tho State to f urnish fuuds for boring the tunnel. He took a great interest in educational matters, and, in latter years, in religious inattera, he being one of the founders of the Epiaoopal OUurch in that city, and donating nearly ono half the amount uec9ssary to erect one of the flnest oburches in tho State. He took great interest in everything calculatod to benefit the city in which he dwelt and in the State at large, and by strict integrity in business matters won the oonfidence of all who knew him.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Michigan Argus