Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 5).djvu/592

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SMITH
SMITH

his library was bought by the New York historical society after his death. He edited translations of the “Narrative of Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca” (Washington, D. C., 1851; improved ed., New York, 1873); “The Letter of Hernando de Soto” and “Memoir of Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda,” of each of which 100 copies were printed (Washington, 1854; collected and published in Spanish under the title of “Coleccion de Varios Documentos para la Historia de la Florida y Zierras Adyacentes,” Madrid, 1857); “A Grammatical Sketch of the Heve Language” (New York, 1861); a “Grammar of the Pima or Névome: a Language of Sonora, from a Manuscript of the 17th Century” (St. Augustine, 1862); “Doctrina Christiana e Confesionario en Lengua Névome, ó sea la Névome” (1862); “Rudo Ensayo, tentative de una Prevencional Descripcion Geographica de la Provincia de Sonora” (1863); “An Inquiry into the Authenticity of Documents concerning a Discovery of North America claimed to have been made by Verrazzano” (1864); and a volume of translations of “Narratives of the Career of Hernando de Soto in the Conquest of Florida” (1866). He also wrote for the magazines concerning the early history and writers of Florida.

SMITH, Caleb Blood, secretary of the interior, b. in Boston, Mass., 16 April, 1808; d. in Indianapolis, Ind., 7 Jan., 1864. He emigrated with his parents to Ohio in 1814, was educated at Cincinnati and Miami colleges, studied law in Cincinnati and in Connersville, Ind., and was admitted to the bar in 1828. He began practice at the latter place, established and edited the “Sentinel” in 1832, served several terms in the Indiana legislature, and was in congress in 1843-'9, having been elected as a Whig. During his congressional career he was one of the Mexican claims commissioners. He returned to the practice of law in 1850, residing in Cincinnati and subsequently in Indianapolis. He was influential in securing the nomination of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency at the Chicago Republican convention in 1860, and was appointed by him secretary of the interior in 1861, which post he resigned in December, 1862, to become U. S. circuit judge for Indiana.

SMITH, Charles, bookseller, b. in New York city in 1768; d. there in 1808. He was a bookseller in New York city, translated plays for the stage from the German of Kotzebue and Schiller, and edited the “Monthly Military Repository” in 1796-'7, the Revolutionary descriptions in which were said to have been supplied by Baron Steuben and Gen. Horatio Gates. He also published a “Political Pocket Almanac” (New York, 1797).

SMITH, Charles Adam, clergyman, b. in New York city, 25 June, 1809; d. in Philadelphia, Pa., 15 Feb., 1879. His parents were German. Charles was educated at Hartwick seminary, ordained to the ministry of the Lutheran church in 1830, and was pastor successively in Palatine, N. Y., and in Baltimore, Md., where he was also an editor of the “Lutheran Observer.” He was called to the Würtemberg church in Rhinebeck, N. Y., in 1842, and remained there till 1852, when he became pastor in Easton, Pa. He afterward had charge of a Presbyterian church in Philadelphia, and then of a parish in East Orange, N. J., after which he devoted himself to literary pursuits. He originated and published in 1850 a monthly home journal entitled “The Evangelical Magazine,” which, after adopting several names, is now published as the “Lutheran and Missionary.” He translated many works from the German, including “Krummacher's Parables” (New York, 1833); and is the author of “The Catechumen's Guide” (Albany, 1837); “Popular

 

Exposition of the Gospels,” with Rev. John G. Morris (Baltimore, 1840); “Illustrations of Faith” (Albany, 1850): “Men of the Olden Time” (Philadelphia, 1858); “Before the Flood and After” (1868); “Among the Lilies” (1872); “Inlets and Outlets” (1872); and “Stoneridge,” a series of pastoral sketches (1877).

SMITH, Charles Emory, journalist, b. in Mansfield, Conn., 18 Feb., 1842. He was graduated at Union college in 1861, became editor of the Albany “Express” in 1865, and of the “Albany Journal” in 1870, and after 1880 conducted the Philadelphia “Press” until 1898, when he entered McKinley's cabinet. He was president of the New York state press association in 1874, and delivered the annual address at its meeting. Mr. Smith was a regent of the University of the state of New York, and a delegate to the National Republican conventions in 1876 and in 1888. President Harrison appointed him ambassador to Russia.

SMITH, Charles Henry, humorist, b. in Lawrenceville, Ga., 15 June, 1826. He was graduated at Franklin college, Athens, Ga., and in 1848 became a lawyer in Rome, Ga. He served in the Confederate army, and after the war settled as a planter near Cartersville, Ga., was state senator in 1866, and mayor of Rome, Ga., in 1868-'9. He began his literary career in 1861 in a series of newspaper letters under the signature of “Bill Arp.” They enjoyed a wide popularity, and are remarkable for homely humor and shrewd philosophy. A southern writer says of his widely read and quoted letter to Artemus Ward in July, 1865, that “it was the first chirp of any bird after the surrender, and gave relief and hope to thousands of drooping hearts.” He is also a successful lecturer. His publications include “Bill Arp's Letters” (New York, 1868); “Bill Arp's Scrap-Book” (Atlanta, 1886); and many humorous and philosophical sketches that he has contributed to the press.

SMITH, Charles Henry, soldier, b. in Hollis, York co., Me., 1 Nov., 1827. He was graduated at Colby university in 1856, entered the National army in 1861 as captain in the 1st Maine cavalry, was attached with his regiment to the Army of the Potomac, and served throughout its operations, participating in numerous battles. He became major of volunteers in 1862, lieutenant-colonel in March, 1863, and colonel of the 1st Maine cavalry, commanding that regiment at Upperville, Gettysburg, Shepardstown, and through the movements southward to the Rapidan. In the Mine run campaign, in November, he conducted the rear-guard of the left column of the army from Mine run to and across the Rapidan. During Gen. Philip H. Sheridan's cavalry campaign in May and June, 1864, he fought at Todd's Tavern and South Anna, at Trevillian Station, and on 1 Aug., 1864, was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers for gallant and meritorious conduct at St. Mary's church, where two horses were killed under him, and he was shot through the thigh. He commanded a cavalry brigade and was wounded at Reams's Station, and the 3d brigade of Gen. David M. Gregg's division from October, 1864, till the operations that ended in the surrender of Lee's army. During the Appomattox campaign he was wounded, and a horse was killed under him at Dinwiddie Court-House, and he participated in the battles of Sailor's Creek, Brier Creek, and Farmville. In May and July, 1865, he was in command of a sub-district of the Appomattox, comprising five counties. He was brevetted major-general of volunteers, 13 March, 1865, for gallant ami meritorious service during the civil war, and in March, 186x, brigadier-