Funeral services for George L. Smith, prominent city and county office holder, who died at St. Lucas Hospital on Wednesday noon, will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the home of his son, Lucius, 415 West Division Street and at 2 o'clock from the First English Lutheran church, with Rev. H. O. Fjeldstad, officiating. The following tribute to Mr. Smith was penned today by Frank M. Kaisersatt, a life-long friend:
HON. GEORGE L. SMITH Again, this community is reminded of the fact that a real leader and organizer has been removed from our midst in the death of the Hon. Geo. L. Smith, who died at noon hour yesterday, the 16th day of December, 1931, at St. Lucas Hospital, this city, following an illness of short duration.
BORN 1857 Geo. L. Smith was born September 27th, 1857, on the farm in Forest township, Rice county, Minnesota, pre-empted by his father; therefore being past (74) seventy-four years of age at the time of his death. He was the son of Alexander Smith and Julia Ann (Foster) Smith. There were four other children in the family; three brothers, and one sister, of the deceased. Two brothers, Lucius and William, preceded him in death as did the sister, the Mrs. Adeline Sanford of Forest Town. The three rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The surviving brother, Chester Smith, who is now eighty-four (84) years of age resides in Hill City, Minnesota. Mr. Smith, up to a few years ago had a wide acquaintance throughout the state and his influence was recognized even in national political circles; not so much thru personal contact but on account of his reputation for energetic campaigning and unfailing methods of practical organization. All his life time he was a staunch republican. In Rice county, his home community, he was for a long time known to every man, woman and child and to these he was not known as Mr. Smith or Geo. L. Smith, but popularly known as "Geo. L." His exceptional natural ability was appreciated by all. In his many strenuous political campaigns as well as in all his dealings with his fellowmen he always showed a cheerful disposition. He grew up to boyhood on the home farm which he maintained throughout his career and to which he again retired in his old age. But, he wanted an education, most of which he received from his mother. For a time he attended high school at Faribault. After his father's death he returned to the farm. At the age of twenty-one he taught the home school in the so-called Fox Lake School District No. 65; running the farm in the summer and teaching school in the winter months.
MARRIED 1884 On March 17, 1884, he married Miss Olive Olson of Port Washington, Wis. They were married at the Fox Lake church in Forest Town and had but one child, a son, Mr. Lucius A. Smith, of Faribault. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Dundas where Mr. Smith served as village marshal. Moving back to the farm, Mr. Smith entered actively for the first time into the county campaign and was elected to the very important office of register of deeds for Rice county. The family then moved to Faribault the son, Lucius being about six years of age. Their first residence was on Sixth Street, between Third and Fourth Avenue. Two years later Mr. Smith bought their Seventh Street home where they lived up to the time he retired to the old homestead in Forest, after having rendered valuable service to the public for upwards of twenty years. It is difficult to give due credit to the political activities of Mr. Smith. In his campaigning he was colorful and entertaining being a natural born story teller. Much ground is covered on this point when it is briefly stated that "Geo. L." did not relish a quiet campaign. He was not only a political fighter; he was a warrior. In the administration of public affairs he was the champion of the common man. He has been repeatedly honored by the people of Rice county and of the City of Faribault and this recognition came to him principally, due to his natural ability and exceptional qualifications to perform the duties with which he was entrusted. It may here he noted to his everlasting honor that in his death is witnessed the passing of a real self-made man. He served his township, his county and his city exceptionally well and he merited the recognition accorded him.
HELD MANY OFFICES He has been elected register of deeds; appointed as deputy county auditor, and deputy register of deeds; elected to the office of probate judge and re-elected for several terms and served as mayor of Faribault for four terms. He was also a member of the charter commission that drafted the present charter for the city of Faribault. When at the height of his career, he was prominently mentioned for congressional honors in the third congressional district as well as having received at that time considerable mention for the office of governor of MInnesota.
LEARNED IN LAW While he never sought admission to the bar he was in fact a man well learned in the law and one particular reason for this great hold upon the public imagination was his material, gratuitous, unfailing and well directed dispensation of legal counsel. It was quite common, especially among the country folks, when in need of real advice to first be sure and see "Geo. L.", from whom, indeed, they've always received a warm, honest and enthusiastic welcome; and what was even more important; real sound advice. His early ambition to become a lawyer has been fulfilled in his only son, Lucius A. Smith, one of the leading attorneys of Rice county. Geo. L. Smith's life and career was made brighter by the never failing enthusiasm and confidence of his gentle and loving life-time partner who survives him. Besides his wife, his son, Lucius, and his brother, Chester, he is survived by five grandchildren, Geo. L. Smith II; Olive E. Smith; Bruce T. Smith; Wayne D. Smith, and June Marie Smith. His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lucius A. Smith is the daughter of the late Edward J. Healy of Faribault. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 at the home of his son, Lucius, 415 West Division St., and at 2:00 o'clock at the First English Lutheran church (formerly the Trinity Lutheran church) on Third Street, with Rev. H. O. Fjelstad officiating. The pallbearers will be Henry Halverson of Forest; Bennie Halvorson of Forest; Adolph Frederickson of Forest; A. B. Larson of Faribault; Dr. W. A. Altermatt of Faribault and Frank M. Kaisersatt of Faribault.
Faribault Daily News December 17, 1931
HISTORY OF RICE & STEELE COUNTIES VOL I & II 1910
George L. Smith, a prominent citizen of Faribault, was one of the "pioneer babies" of Rice county, born in Forest township, September 27, 1857, son of Alexander and Julia A. Smith, the pioneers. He received a large part of his education at home with his mother and owes much to her tuition and training. He also attended the district schools. At the age of nineteen he started teaching school in the same school house which he had attended as a boy, teaching winters and farming summers. In 1879 he went to Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, but in 1881 came back to the home farm, again teaching school and farming until 1884 when he came to Faribault and entered into co-partnership with A. J. Bell in the farm machinery business one year. The following year he was village marshal at Dundas, but after that he again returned to the farm. He purchased the farm from the other heirs in 1888 and worked it until 1896 when he was elected register of deeds, serving until 1900, when he was succeeded by G. S. Whitney. For four years he served under W. K. Adams as deputy county auditor, and then defeated Judge James S. Hunter for judge of probate at the primaries, and M. F. Donahue at the polls, being re-elected in 1906 without opposition. He was defeated in 1908 by Judge Hunter. In 1907 he defeated James R. Smith for mayor, was elected in 1908 without opposition, defeated P. J. Gallagher in 1909, and was succeeded in 1910 by N. S. Erb. He is now serving as deputy county auditor with E. J. Kelley. In Forest township he served as justice of the peace as early as the age of twenty-one years. He was also township supervisor and clerk of his school district. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the I. 0. O. F., the A. 0. U. W., the B. P. 0. E., the M. B. A., and the M. S. He was married March 17, 1884, to Olive Olson, of Ft. Washington, Wis., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Olson. To this union one son, Lucius Alexander, was born January 20, 1891. He is now studying law at the State University. Alexander Smith and Julia A. Foster, his wife, the pioneers, were born in Maine and Vermont, respectively, and came west in 1855. In 1856 they located in section 34, Forest township, and started farming on wild land which Alexander broke and improved. He was the first town clerk of Forest and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death, July 28, 1873. His wife is still living in Faribault at the age of eighty-four years, making her home with her son, George L. Smith.
HON. GEORGE L. SMITH Again, this community is reminded of the fact that a real leader and organizer has been removed from our midst in the death of the Hon. Geo. L. Smith, who died at noon hour yesterday, the 16th day of December, 1931, at St. Lucas Hospital, this city, following an illness of short duration.
BORN 1857 Geo. L. Smith was born September 27th, 1857, on the farm in Forest township, Rice county, Minnesota, pre-empted by his father; therefore being past (74) seventy-four years of age at the time of his death. He was the son of Alexander Smith and Julia Ann (Foster) Smith. There were four other children in the family; three brothers, and one sister, of the deceased. Two brothers, Lucius and William, preceded him in death as did the sister, the Mrs. Adeline Sanford of Forest Town. The three rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The surviving brother, Chester Smith, who is now eighty-four (84) years of age resides in Hill City, Minnesota. Mr. Smith, up to a few years ago had a wide acquaintance throughout the state and his influence was recognized even in national political circles; not so much thru personal contact but on account of his reputation for energetic campaigning and unfailing methods of practical organization. All his life time he was a staunch republican. In Rice county, his home community, he was for a long time known to every man, woman and child and to these he was not known as Mr. Smith or Geo. L. Smith, but popularly known as "Geo. L." His exceptional natural ability was appreciated by all. In his many strenuous political campaigns as well as in all his dealings with his fellowmen he always showed a cheerful disposition. He grew up to boyhood on the home farm which he maintained throughout his career and to which he again retired in his old age. But, he wanted an education, most of which he received from his mother. For a time he attended high school at Faribault. After his father's death he returned to the farm. At the age of twenty-one he taught the home school in the so-called Fox Lake School District No. 65; running the farm in the summer and teaching school in the winter months.
MARRIED 1884 On March 17, 1884, he married Miss Olive Olson of Port Washington, Wis. They were married at the Fox Lake church in Forest Town and had but one child, a son, Mr. Lucius A. Smith, of Faribault. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Dundas where Mr. Smith served as village marshal. Moving back to the farm, Mr. Smith entered actively for the first time into the county campaign and was elected to the very important office of register of deeds for Rice county. The family then moved to Faribault the son, Lucius being about six years of age. Their first residence was on Sixth Street, between Third and Fourth Avenue. Two years later Mr. Smith bought their Seventh Street home where they lived up to the time he retired to the old homestead in Forest, after having rendered valuable service to the public for upwards of twenty years. It is difficult to give due credit to the political activities of Mr. Smith. In his campaigning he was colorful and entertaining being a natural born story teller. Much ground is covered on this point when it is briefly stated that "Geo. L." did not relish a quiet campaign. He was not only a political fighter; he was a warrior. In the administration of public affairs he was the champion of the common man. He has been repeatedly honored by the people of Rice county and of the City of Faribault and this recognition came to him principally, due to his natural ability and exceptional qualifications to perform the duties with which he was entrusted. It may here he noted to his everlasting honor that in his death is witnessed the passing of a real self-made man. He served his township, his county and his city exceptionally well and he merited the recognition accorded him.
HELD MANY OFFICES He has been elected register of deeds; appointed as deputy county auditor, and deputy register of deeds; elected to the office of probate judge and re-elected for several terms and served as mayor of Faribault for four terms. He was also a member of the charter commission that drafted the present charter for the city of Faribault. When at the height of his career, he was prominently mentioned for congressional honors in the third congressional district as well as having received at that time considerable mention for the office of governor of MInnesota.
LEARNED IN LAW While he never sought admission to the bar he was in fact a man well learned in the law and one particular reason for this great hold upon the public imagination was his material, gratuitous, unfailing and well directed dispensation of legal counsel. It was quite common, especially among the country folks, when in need of real advice to first be sure and see "Geo. L.", from whom, indeed, they've always received a warm, honest and enthusiastic welcome; and what was even more important; real sound advice. His early ambition to become a lawyer has been fulfilled in his only son, Lucius A. Smith, one of the leading attorneys of Rice county. Geo. L. Smith's life and career was made brighter by the never failing enthusiasm and confidence of his gentle and loving life-time partner who survives him. Besides his wife, his son, Lucius, and his brother, Chester, he is survived by five grandchildren, Geo. L. Smith II; Olive E. Smith; Bruce T. Smith; Wayne D. Smith, and June Marie Smith. His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lucius A. Smith is the daughter of the late Edward J. Healy of Faribault. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 at the home of his son, Lucius, 415 West Division St., and at 2:00 o'clock at the First English Lutheran church (formerly the Trinity Lutheran church) on Third Street, with Rev. H. O. Fjelstad officiating. The pallbearers will be Henry Halverson of Forest; Bennie Halvorson of Forest; Adolph Frederickson of Forest; A. B. Larson of Faribault; Dr. W. A. Altermatt of Faribault and Frank M. Kaisersatt of Faribault.
Faribault Daily News December 17, 1931
HISTORY OF RICE & STEELE COUNTIES VOL I & II 1910
George L. Smith, a prominent citizen of Faribault, was one of the "pioneer babies" of Rice county, born in Forest township, September 27, 1857, son of Alexander and Julia A. Smith, the pioneers. He received a large part of his education at home with his mother and owes much to her tuition and training. He also attended the district schools. At the age of nineteen he started teaching school in the same school house which he had attended as a boy, teaching winters and farming summers. In 1879 he went to Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, but in 1881 came back to the home farm, again teaching school and farming until 1884 when he came to Faribault and entered into co-partnership with A. J. Bell in the farm machinery business one year. The following year he was village marshal at Dundas, but after that he again returned to the farm. He purchased the farm from the other heirs in 1888 and worked it until 1896 when he was elected register of deeds, serving until 1900, when he was succeeded by G. S. Whitney. For four years he served under W. K. Adams as deputy county auditor, and then defeated Judge James S. Hunter for judge of probate at the primaries, and M. F. Donahue at the polls, being re-elected in 1906 without opposition. He was defeated in 1908 by Judge Hunter. In 1907 he defeated James R. Smith for mayor, was elected in 1908 without opposition, defeated P. J. Gallagher in 1909, and was succeeded in 1910 by N. S. Erb. He is now serving as deputy county auditor with E. J. Kelley. In Forest township he served as justice of the peace as early as the age of twenty-one years. He was also township supervisor and clerk of his school district. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the I. 0. O. F., the A. 0. U. W., the B. P. 0. E., the M. B. A., and the M. S. He was married March 17, 1884, to Olive Olson, of Ft. Washington, Wis., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Olson. To this union one son, Lucius Alexander, was born January 20, 1891. He is now studying law at the State University. Alexander Smith and Julia A. Foster, his wife, the pioneers, were born in Maine and Vermont, respectively, and came west in 1855. In 1856 they located in section 34, Forest township, and started farming on wild land which Alexander broke and improved. He was the first town clerk of Forest and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death, July 28, 1873. His wife is still living in Faribault at the age of eighty-four years, making her home with her son, George L. Smith.
Funeral services for George L. Smith, prominent city and county office holder, who died at St. Lucas Hospital on Wednesday noon, will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at the home of his son, Lucius, 415 West Division Street and at 2 o'clock from the First English Lutheran church, with Rev. H. O. Fjeldstad, officiating. The following tribute to Mr. Smith was penned today by Frank M. Kaisersatt, a life-long friend:
HON. GEORGE L. SMITH Again, this community is reminded of the fact that a real leader and organizer has been removed from our midst in the death of the Hon. Geo. L. Smith, who died at noon hour yesterday, the 16th day of December, 1931, at St. Lucas Hospital, this city, following an illness of short duration.
BORN 1857 Geo. L. Smith was born September 27th, 1857, on the farm in Forest township, Rice county, Minnesota, pre-empted by his father; therefore being past (74) seventy-four years of age at the time of his death. He was the son of Alexander Smith and Julia Ann (Foster) Smith. There were four other children in the family; three brothers, and one sister, of the deceased. Two brothers, Lucius and William, preceded him in death as did the sister, the Mrs. Adeline Sanford of Forest Town. The three rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The surviving brother, Chester Smith, who is now eighty-four (84) years of age resides in Hill City, Minnesota. Mr. Smith, up to a few years ago had a wide acquaintance throughout the state and his influence was recognized even in national political circles; not so much thru personal contact but on account of his reputation for energetic campaigning and unfailing methods of practical organization. All his life time he was a staunch republican. In Rice county, his home community, he was for a long time known to every man, woman and child and to these he was not known as Mr. Smith or Geo. L. Smith, but popularly known as "Geo. L." His exceptional natural ability was appreciated by all. In his many strenuous political campaigns as well as in all his dealings with his fellowmen he always showed a cheerful disposition. He grew up to boyhood on the home farm which he maintained throughout his career and to which he again retired in his old age. But, he wanted an education, most of which he received from his mother. For a time he attended high school at Faribault. After his father's death he returned to the farm. At the age of twenty-one he taught the home school in the so-called Fox Lake School District No. 65; running the farm in the summer and teaching school in the winter months.
MARRIED 1884 On March 17, 1884, he married Miss Olive Olson of Port Washington, Wis. They were married at the Fox Lake church in Forest Town and had but one child, a son, Mr. Lucius A. Smith, of Faribault. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Dundas where Mr. Smith served as village marshal. Moving back to the farm, Mr. Smith entered actively for the first time into the county campaign and was elected to the very important office of register of deeds for Rice county. The family then moved to Faribault the son, Lucius being about six years of age. Their first residence was on Sixth Street, between Third and Fourth Avenue. Two years later Mr. Smith bought their Seventh Street home where they lived up to the time he retired to the old homestead in Forest, after having rendered valuable service to the public for upwards of twenty years. It is difficult to give due credit to the political activities of Mr. Smith. In his campaigning he was colorful and entertaining being a natural born story teller. Much ground is covered on this point when it is briefly stated that "Geo. L." did not relish a quiet campaign. He was not only a political fighter; he was a warrior. In the administration of public affairs he was the champion of the common man. He has been repeatedly honored by the people of Rice county and of the City of Faribault and this recognition came to him principally, due to his natural ability and exceptional qualifications to perform the duties with which he was entrusted. It may here he noted to his everlasting honor that in his death is witnessed the passing of a real self-made man. He served his township, his county and his city exceptionally well and he merited the recognition accorded him.
HELD MANY OFFICES He has been elected register of deeds; appointed as deputy county auditor, and deputy register of deeds; elected to the office of probate judge and re-elected for several terms and served as mayor of Faribault for four terms. He was also a member of the charter commission that drafted the present charter for the city of Faribault. When at the height of his career, he was prominently mentioned for congressional honors in the third congressional district as well as having received at that time considerable mention for the office of governor of MInnesota.
LEARNED IN LAW While he never sought admission to the bar he was in fact a man well learned in the law and one particular reason for this great hold upon the public imagination was his material, gratuitous, unfailing and well directed dispensation of legal counsel. It was quite common, especially among the country folks, when in need of real advice to first be sure and see "Geo. L.", from whom, indeed, they've always received a warm, honest and enthusiastic welcome; and what was even more important; real sound advice. His early ambition to become a lawyer has been fulfilled in his only son, Lucius A. Smith, one of the leading attorneys of Rice county. Geo. L. Smith's life and career was made brighter by the never failing enthusiasm and confidence of his gentle and loving life-time partner who survives him. Besides his wife, his son, Lucius, and his brother, Chester, he is survived by five grandchildren, Geo. L. Smith II; Olive E. Smith; Bruce T. Smith; Wayne D. Smith, and June Marie Smith. His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lucius A. Smith is the daughter of the late Edward J. Healy of Faribault. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 at the home of his son, Lucius, 415 West Division St., and at 2:00 o'clock at the First English Lutheran church (formerly the Trinity Lutheran church) on Third Street, with Rev. H. O. Fjelstad officiating. The pallbearers will be Henry Halverson of Forest; Bennie Halvorson of Forest; Adolph Frederickson of Forest; A. B. Larson of Faribault; Dr. W. A. Altermatt of Faribault and Frank M. Kaisersatt of Faribault.
Faribault Daily News December 17, 1931
HISTORY OF RICE & STEELE COUNTIES VOL I & II 1910
George L. Smith, a prominent citizen of Faribault, was one of the "pioneer babies" of Rice county, born in Forest township, September 27, 1857, son of Alexander and Julia A. Smith, the pioneers. He received a large part of his education at home with his mother and owes much to her tuition and training. He also attended the district schools. At the age of nineteen he started teaching school in the same school house which he had attended as a boy, teaching winters and farming summers. In 1879 he went to Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, but in 1881 came back to the home farm, again teaching school and farming until 1884 when he came to Faribault and entered into co-partnership with A. J. Bell in the farm machinery business one year. The following year he was village marshal at Dundas, but after that he again returned to the farm. He purchased the farm from the other heirs in 1888 and worked it until 1896 when he was elected register of deeds, serving until 1900, when he was succeeded by G. S. Whitney. For four years he served under W. K. Adams as deputy county auditor, and then defeated Judge James S. Hunter for judge of probate at the primaries, and M. F. Donahue at the polls, being re-elected in 1906 without opposition. He was defeated in 1908 by Judge Hunter. In 1907 he defeated James R. Smith for mayor, was elected in 1908 without opposition, defeated P. J. Gallagher in 1909, and was succeeded in 1910 by N. S. Erb. He is now serving as deputy county auditor with E. J. Kelley. In Forest township he served as justice of the peace as early as the age of twenty-one years. He was also township supervisor and clerk of his school district. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the I. 0. O. F., the A. 0. U. W., the B. P. 0. E., the M. B. A., and the M. S. He was married March 17, 1884, to Olive Olson, of Ft. Washington, Wis., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Olson. To this union one son, Lucius Alexander, was born January 20, 1891. He is now studying law at the State University. Alexander Smith and Julia A. Foster, his wife, the pioneers, were born in Maine and Vermont, respectively, and came west in 1855. In 1856 they located in section 34, Forest township, and started farming on wild land which Alexander broke and improved. He was the first town clerk of Forest and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death, July 28, 1873. His wife is still living in Faribault at the age of eighty-four years, making her home with her son, George L. Smith.
HON. GEORGE L. SMITH Again, this community is reminded of the fact that a real leader and organizer has been removed from our midst in the death of the Hon. Geo. L. Smith, who died at noon hour yesterday, the 16th day of December, 1931, at St. Lucas Hospital, this city, following an illness of short duration.
BORN 1857 Geo. L. Smith was born September 27th, 1857, on the farm in Forest township, Rice county, Minnesota, pre-empted by his father; therefore being past (74) seventy-four years of age at the time of his death. He was the son of Alexander Smith and Julia Ann (Foster) Smith. There were four other children in the family; three brothers, and one sister, of the deceased. Two brothers, Lucius and William, preceded him in death as did the sister, the Mrs. Adeline Sanford of Forest Town. The three rest in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The surviving brother, Chester Smith, who is now eighty-four (84) years of age resides in Hill City, Minnesota. Mr. Smith, up to a few years ago had a wide acquaintance throughout the state and his influence was recognized even in national political circles; not so much thru personal contact but on account of his reputation for energetic campaigning and unfailing methods of practical organization. All his life time he was a staunch republican. In Rice county, his home community, he was for a long time known to every man, woman and child and to these he was not known as Mr. Smith or Geo. L. Smith, but popularly known as "Geo. L." His exceptional natural ability was appreciated by all. In his many strenuous political campaigns as well as in all his dealings with his fellowmen he always showed a cheerful disposition. He grew up to boyhood on the home farm which he maintained throughout his career and to which he again retired in his old age. But, he wanted an education, most of which he received from his mother. For a time he attended high school at Faribault. After his father's death he returned to the farm. At the age of twenty-one he taught the home school in the so-called Fox Lake School District No. 65; running the farm in the summer and teaching school in the winter months.
MARRIED 1884 On March 17, 1884, he married Miss Olive Olson of Port Washington, Wis. They were married at the Fox Lake church in Forest Town and had but one child, a son, Mr. Lucius A. Smith, of Faribault. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Dundas where Mr. Smith served as village marshal. Moving back to the farm, Mr. Smith entered actively for the first time into the county campaign and was elected to the very important office of register of deeds for Rice county. The family then moved to Faribault the son, Lucius being about six years of age. Their first residence was on Sixth Street, between Third and Fourth Avenue. Two years later Mr. Smith bought their Seventh Street home where they lived up to the time he retired to the old homestead in Forest, after having rendered valuable service to the public for upwards of twenty years. It is difficult to give due credit to the political activities of Mr. Smith. In his campaigning he was colorful and entertaining being a natural born story teller. Much ground is covered on this point when it is briefly stated that "Geo. L." did not relish a quiet campaign. He was not only a political fighter; he was a warrior. In the administration of public affairs he was the champion of the common man. He has been repeatedly honored by the people of Rice county and of the City of Faribault and this recognition came to him principally, due to his natural ability and exceptional qualifications to perform the duties with which he was entrusted. It may here he noted to his everlasting honor that in his death is witnessed the passing of a real self-made man. He served his township, his county and his city exceptionally well and he merited the recognition accorded him.
HELD MANY OFFICES He has been elected register of deeds; appointed as deputy county auditor, and deputy register of deeds; elected to the office of probate judge and re-elected for several terms and served as mayor of Faribault for four terms. He was also a member of the charter commission that drafted the present charter for the city of Faribault. When at the height of his career, he was prominently mentioned for congressional honors in the third congressional district as well as having received at that time considerable mention for the office of governor of MInnesota.
LEARNED IN LAW While he never sought admission to the bar he was in fact a man well learned in the law and one particular reason for this great hold upon the public imagination was his material, gratuitous, unfailing and well directed dispensation of legal counsel. It was quite common, especially among the country folks, when in need of real advice to first be sure and see "Geo. L.", from whom, indeed, they've always received a warm, honest and enthusiastic welcome; and what was even more important; real sound advice. His early ambition to become a lawyer has been fulfilled in his only son, Lucius A. Smith, one of the leading attorneys of Rice county. Geo. L. Smith's life and career was made brighter by the never failing enthusiasm and confidence of his gentle and loving life-time partner who survives him. Besides his wife, his son, Lucius, and his brother, Chester, he is survived by five grandchildren, Geo. L. Smith II; Olive E. Smith; Bruce T. Smith; Wayne D. Smith, and June Marie Smith. His daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lucius A. Smith is the daughter of the late Edward J. Healy of Faribault. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 at the home of his son, Lucius, 415 West Division St., and at 2:00 o'clock at the First English Lutheran church (formerly the Trinity Lutheran church) on Third Street, with Rev. H. O. Fjelstad officiating. The pallbearers will be Henry Halverson of Forest; Bennie Halvorson of Forest; Adolph Frederickson of Forest; A. B. Larson of Faribault; Dr. W. A. Altermatt of Faribault and Frank M. Kaisersatt of Faribault.
Faribault Daily News December 17, 1931
HISTORY OF RICE & STEELE COUNTIES VOL I & II 1910
George L. Smith, a prominent citizen of Faribault, was one of the "pioneer babies" of Rice county, born in Forest township, September 27, 1857, son of Alexander and Julia A. Smith, the pioneers. He received a large part of his education at home with his mother and owes much to her tuition and training. He also attended the district schools. At the age of nineteen he started teaching school in the same school house which he had attended as a boy, teaching winters and farming summers. In 1879 he went to Warren, Marshall county, Minnesota, but in 1881 came back to the home farm, again teaching school and farming until 1884 when he came to Faribault and entered into co-partnership with A. J. Bell in the farm machinery business one year. The following year he was village marshal at Dundas, but after that he again returned to the farm. He purchased the farm from the other heirs in 1888 and worked it until 1896 when he was elected register of deeds, serving until 1900, when he was succeeded by G. S. Whitney. For four years he served under W. K. Adams as deputy county auditor, and then defeated Judge James S. Hunter for judge of probate at the primaries, and M. F. Donahue at the polls, being re-elected in 1906 without opposition. He was defeated in 1908 by Judge Hunter. In 1907 he defeated James R. Smith for mayor, was elected in 1908 without opposition, defeated P. J. Gallagher in 1909, and was succeeded in 1910 by N. S. Erb. He is now serving as deputy county auditor with E. J. Kelley. In Forest township he served as justice of the peace as early as the age of twenty-one years. He was also township supervisor and clerk of his school district. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the I. 0. O. F., the A. 0. U. W., the B. P. 0. E., the M. B. A., and the M. S. He was married March 17, 1884, to Olive Olson, of Ft. Washington, Wis., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Olson. To this union one son, Lucius Alexander, was born January 20, 1891. He is now studying law at the State University. Alexander Smith and Julia A. Foster, his wife, the pioneers, were born in Maine and Vermont, respectively, and came west in 1855. In 1856 they located in section 34, Forest township, and started farming on wild land which Alexander broke and improved. He was the first town clerk of Forest and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death, July 28, 1873. His wife is still living in Faribault at the age of eighty-four years, making her home with her son, George L. Smith.
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