EDWARD WIER SMITH, M. D.

Dr. Edward Wier Smith, who for many years has been recognized as one of Meriden's prominent physicians, was born in this city, October 17, 1854. His parents, David and Fidelia (Parker) Smith, were both representatives of old American families which were well represented in the Continental troops during the Revolutionary war. On the paternal side the ancestry is traced back to James Smith, one of three brothers who came from England to the Massachusetts colony in 1636. He and his wife, Johanna Smith, located in Taunton and became prominent residents of that place. His son, Nathaniel Smith, passed his entire life there and there occurred the birth of his son, also named Nathaniel. Nathaniel Smith, Jr., however, removed to Hartford and later to Litchfield, of which he was an early settler. He married Anna Hoskins and among their children was Jacob, who was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary army and died at Litchfield, April 14, 1807, at the age of sixty-nine years. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Lewis and among their children was David, who devoted his life to farming near Litchfield. He married Anna Bartholomew and to them were born ten children, of whom David was born April 6, 1822, in Litchfield. He there grew to manhood and in his youth learned the trade of a stonemason. Following his removal to Meriden in 1852 he engaged in business as a contractor and met with gratifying success in that connection. He was a strong republican in politics and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the First Congregational church. He was also an active temperance worker. In 1848 he married Miss Fidelia Parker, a daughter of Daniel and Ruth (Hull) Parker, of Meriden. On the 22d of November, 1898, Mr. and Mrs. Smith celebrated their golden wedding and received the felicitations of their friends on their many years of happy wedded life. To them were born six children, namely: Nettie, the wife of Julius Augur, of Meriden; Frank D., also of that city; Edward Wier; Ella Isabel and Jennie S., both of whom are prominent in Susan Carrington Clark Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution; and Frances Eva, who was an artist of ability and whose demise on the 27th of October, 1898, was the occasion of much sincere regret and sorrow.

Edward W. Smith attended the public schools of Meriden, the Hopkins grammar school and Yale University, from which he was graduated in 1878. He began the study of medicine in that institution but after completing one year's course taught for a year in order to gain funds to complete his medical course. He then matriculated in the medical school of McGill University at Montreal, Canada, and received his professional degree in 1882. He at once returned to Meriden and opened an office and in a comparatively short time gained recognition as a conscientious and capable physician and surgeon. As the years have passed he has continued to enjoy the confidence both of the public and his professional brethren and has given much time to the study of the latest theories and practices in the medical field. In 1892 he took a course in the Post Graduate Medical Collese of New York and he belongs to the Connecticut State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Medicine and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In addition to his large private practice he is on the staff of the Meriden Hospital and is now a member of the state committee Medical Council of Defense.

Mr. Smith was married October 14, 1885, to Miss Helen B. Rice, a daughter of Oliver and Abbie C. (Caldwell) Rice, also of Meriden. To Dr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two children, Marion K., and David Parker, now a surgeon in the National Guard Army in France.

Dr. Smith is a republican in politics but has been entirely without ambition to hold office, realizing that his practice requires his undivided time and attention. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of St. Elmo Commandery, No. 9, K. T., and Lafayette Consistory. He was quite prominent in athletics while in Yale and was a member of the varsity baseball team, playing in games with Harvard, Princeton and other leading schools. His life has been guided by the teachings of Christianity and he is an influential member of the First Congregational church. He has not only gained a high standing in his profession but he has also won the unqualified respect and the warm regard of those who have come in close contact with him.