Friday, February 21, 2020

Obituary of Albert W. Smith, Civil War Veteran, of Skowhegan, Maine - Present at Lee's Surrender


1927 obituary pasted into a scrapbook of content mostly from Dexter, Maine, and Skowhegan, Maine.

The byline hints that this article first appeared in the Skowhegan newspaper, the Independent-Reporter, which published from 1909 to 1955.

Obituary of Civil War veteran Albert W. Smith (1848-1927), son of William Bainbridge Smith and Rachel (Whittier) Smith (1817-1899).

Interestingly, Albert, who was present at Lee's surrender, brought home a piece of root of the foliage under which the surrender occurred.

ALBERT W. SMITH DIES SUDDENLY
Civil War Veteran was Present at Lee's Surrender
(Special to the Independent-Reporter)

Funeral services for Albert W. Smith, a Civil War veteran, were conducted a his late home on upper North Avenue Saturday afternoon. Rev. Herbert L. Nichols, pastor of Centenary Methodist Episcopal church, officiating.  The bearers were C. E. Locke, George Hobart, William Palmer and Merton L. Dennis.  Burial was in the north cemetery. Among those from out of town present was Earl W. Smith, of Boston, Mass.

Mr. Smith was stricken with heart trouble at six o'clock on the evening of September 28th, while in his barn. He was born in Skowhegan Oct. 4th, 1848, the son of William B. and Rachel (Whittier) Smith.  He attended the local schools and on August 22, 1864, enlisted in Company B, 20th Maine Infantry, and saw service in many engagements. He was present at the surrender of General Lee, and brought home a piece of root of the tree beneath the foliage of which that great historical event took place, and always valued that memento as the most valuable of his war time souvenirs.

He had been a member of the Methodist church since August 1, 1869, and was affiliated with Russell Post, F.A. R. and Skowhegan Grange.  He was a farmer. Two brothers and three sisters have preceded him in death.  He leaves to mourn his loss a brother, Joseph Nay Smith, the well-known music dealer, of Skowhegan.

If you have information on the Smith family of Skowhegan, Maine,  please leave a comment.  Perhaps Albert's relatives include Congressman Clyde Harold Smith (1876-1940), first husband of Senator Margaret Chase Smith (1897-1995).

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