DEATH OF HUGO E. SMITH
Courier
June 18, 1908
The entire town
was shocked and grieved this morning when it became known that Former
Postmaster H. E. Smith had died at his residence on South Chestnut street at
a few minutes past 11 o'clock last night. Mr. Smith had been a frequent
sufferer from indigestion and was seized with an attack of stomach trouble
Monday afternoon last ? did not appear to be at all serious. It was thought
he would soon recover from the attack. However, about the middle of
yesterday afternoon he suddenly grew worse and his condition became
alarming. From this on, despite everything that could be done for him, he
continued to grow worse until he passed away at 11:03 last night.
Mr. Smith, whose
full name was Hugo Edmond Smith, was born in Prussia, province of Saxony,
February 11, 1847, and was therefore 61 years, four months and six days of
age. He came to the United States in January, 1865 and enlisted in the Union
army, serving in a New York regiment until the close of the civil war.
Following the close of the war he went to Louisiana where he was
superintendent of a large plantation for some time, after which he came to
Texas where he enlisted as a member of the State police, and after this
served eight years as deputy United States marshal, most of his time being
spent in this section. It was during this time that he met Miss Margaret
Bradley, daughter of Thomas Bradley, who was one of this county's most
substantial and pioneer citizens, and they were married January 1, 1874.
They resided for years on Mr. Smith's farm, two miles south of town, moving
to this city about eighteen years ago. Mr. Smith was appointed postmaster
here during the administration of President Harrison, and during the four
years of President Cleveland's administration he engaged in the abstract
business here, being appointed Postmaster by President McKinley and
reappointed by President Roosevelt, retiring only on the first of this
month, after having served as postmaster for fourteen years and one month,
during which time he made a record that will ever stand a monument to his
efficiency, ability and faithfulness to the public service.
Mr. Smith is
survived by his wife and six children, as follows: Mrs. Bertha Duncan of
Waco; Oscar, Albert, Jack, and Misses Maud and Carrie Smith, of this city.
He was a man of a wide range of reading who delighted to keep abreast of all
current events, as well as to scan the pages of history and the literature
of the past, possessing a retentive memory and rare conversational powers,
as well as an affable, genial manner which made him ever a pleasant
companion with whom it was a pleasure to converse. Of sturdy character and
strict integrity, he was held in the highest respect and esteem by the
entire citizenship who can yet hardly realize that this strong and stalwart
man who was "yet in love with life and raptured with the world, has passed
to the tongueless silence of the dreamless dust."
Funeral services
will be held at the family residence tomorrow morning, conducted by Rev. J.
M. Bell, assisted by Rev. W. P. Cloyd, after which the interment will be
made at Pecan Grove cemetery.
We join with the
entire town in extending sincere condolence to the bereaved wife and
children in the loss of their devoted husband and indulgent father.
Surname Index
Recommended Citation:
"Death of Hugo E. Smith,
EARLY SETTLERS OF COLLIN COUNTY." Collin County, Texas History
and Genealogy Webpage by Genealogy Friends of Plano Libraries, Inc., <http://www.geocities/genfriendsghl>
[Accessed Fri February 13, 2004 ].
