website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
J. H. (Heber) Smith
c.1845
Mr. Smith came to Wisconsin from Canada
and settled here somewhere about 1845.
He was a partner of the late John Richards in running the old sawmill
which stood on the east side of the river [across] from the Rough & Ready
mill, destroyed by fire last fall.
1848
ORGANIZED WATERTOWN BIBLE SOCIETY
The Watertown
Bible Society was organized in Watertown in January 1848 by Heber Smith,
Rev. Melancthon Hoyt, George W. Breckenridge, William
Dutcher and others as an auxiliary of the Jefferson County Bible Society
1854
BUILT HOUSE AT 910
SOUTH EIGHTH (per Bill Jannke)
Home was built by
Heber Smith, a mason and
master builder. Built East Main Street bridge and may also have built the Kreitzman
home on Western Ave. He was a mason and
master builder.
1858
BUILT JONES HOUSE
Gothic style home at 1325 Western Ave
was built in 1858 by J. H. (Heber) Smith,
then connected with the Rough and Ready dam and milling operations; the home
occupies the highest geographic area in Watertown.
Cross Reference: Heber Smith also built a home for Captain
Ernst Off, this being among the first brick homes in the city and stood on
the corner of S. Fifth and Spring streets, fronting on Fourth. Today the site of the post office.
1859
03 17 ACCLIMATED APPLE TREES
A few thousand fine, thrifty, grafted
apple trees for sale at very reduced prices.
The trees are four years old and grown upon the summit of the hill near
the residence of J. A. Hall of this city, which will make them hardy and
healthy trees. For further particulars
inquire of the undersigned. Heber Smith. [Location is in vicinity of Fairview
Street] WD
1860
09 28 OUR CANDIDATE FOR SHERIFF
Heber Smith is a
resident of Watertown. Here, where he
has lived for the last 18 or 20 years, it is unnecessary to say a single word
in his behalf. But for the benefit of
our distant readers who may be unacquainted with him, we would say that Mr.
Smith is an upright man in all his dealings, whose word is as good as his bond;
and a gentleman in whom are happily combined thorough business tact, great
energy of character, strict integrity and many genial social qualities which,
taken together, constitute him one of our leading and most influential
citizens. He is not, and never has been,
a seeker of office, though at the urgent solicitation of his friends he allowed
his name to be used at this time in connection with the office for which he is
now in nomination. A year ago he was
elected to represent the city in the assembly of this state, and the flattering
vote that he received at that time is sufficient evidence as to the estimation
in which he is held by those who have known him longest and are presumed to
know him best. His competitor was a
highly respected citizen with money at his command to carry on the canvass, but
the votes are not subject to his control.
Mr. Smith ran far ahead of his ticket and was elected by a handsome
majority. In the legislature he was
known as one of the most attentive and influential members, against whom we
have yet to hear the first word of reproach or complaint. If elected to the Sheriffalty,
as we have no doubt he will be, we promise that he never will disgrace the
office, and that his duties will be discharged with an eye single to the public
good. WR
1888 DEATH OF HEBER SMITH
WATERTOWN, July 18 –
Heber Smith, an early settler of Watertown, died at Salina, Kan., Saturday
last, July 14, 1888, aged about 70 years.
Mr. Smith came to
Wisconsin from Canada and settled here somewhere about 1845. He was a partner of the late John Richards in
running the old sawmill which stood on the east side of the river [across] from
the Rough & Ready mill, destroyed by fire last fall [It was the Rough &
Ready mill that burned in 1887]. . Mr. Smith contributed considerably to the
growth of Watertown in the way of erecting a number of houses, which still
stand as testimonials of his enterprise.
Note: Heber Smith built the Jones house at 1325
Western Ave as well as a home for Captain Ernst Off, this being among the first
brick homes in the city and stood on the corner of S. Fifth and Spring streets,
fronting on Fourth. Today the site of
the post office. – Jefferson County Union, 07 20 1888
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin