-OF- MINNESOTA. 1910 EMBRACING THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY FROM DECEMBER 1. 1909, TO DECEMBER 1, 1910, INCLUDING THE TWELVE THE MINNESOTA HORTICULTURIST Vol. 38. JANUARY, 1910. No. 1. IN MEMORIAM Truman M. Smith Passed Sept. 18, 1909, aged 84 years. The subject of this sketch, which is prepared in loving remembrance of many services rendered to this society, was born in Danby, Vt., on June 19th, 1825. Of his earlier history we have no record until his removal to Geneva, Wis., at about the time he attained his majority. Remaining there only a few years, he came on to St. Paul in 1851. At that time the present capital of the state was only a small beginning of what it has now grown to, and there were openings which an active young man with a good education, as was the case with Mr. Smith, could readily make. At the very first, there being no more satisfactory showing, he took a contract to cut a quantity of cordwood near by the town, which contract he carried out, although, I understand, at some loss to himself, but in doing this he showed the strict probity of his character, which through life continued to be one of his marked virtues. Following this work he readily found employment in the city, and not long after opened a collection and real estate agency. A good deal of real property which has now become immensely valuable passed through his hands during this period of his life. In due course, his interests increasing and his means accordingly, he opened a bank in St. Paul, having in the meantime also established, in company with a Mr. J. V. Tostevin, who survives him, the first marble works that were located there. This firm continued to do business after the retirement of Mr. Smith under the name of Tostevin & Sons until only a short time since. The panic of '57, that swept the country, resulted in the financial ruin of Mr. Smith, who went down with nearly all others who were |