T.G. Smith of Sidney Plains - 1879

T.G. Smith

Bainbridge Republican, February 6, 1879

Mr. T.G. Smith, whose name stands prominently connected with the head of this article, and which forms the subject of this short and interesting biographical sketch, was born May 29th, 1831, in Colesville, Broome Co., N.Y.  His father David Smith was a farmer by occupation, and a man of limited means.  His son who was born with a weakly constitution was kept in school until he arrived at the age of 18 years when he had an application and taught the village school at Coventry.  In 1851, he entered the State normal School at Albany where he graduated July 1852.  He then returned home and followed school teaching for five years in Potter County Pa. and applied his earnings towards a home for his parents.  But in 1857 he left home and started out in life for himself with only $50 at his command.  He was married in June of the same year to Miss Sophia Chase, daughter of Nathan B. Chase Esq., of Windsor, who was engaged in the tanning business and by whom he was employed as an assistant for four years, when he became a partner, and at the death of his father-in-law, Mr. Smith succeeded him in the business which he continued till 1869, when he came to Sidney Plains, which was then just opened up as a Rail Road town, with business prospects.  Mr. Smith purchased a lot and built a fine residence, and also contracted for the use of a portion of the Hodgins Block, then building, by paying rent in advance and when completed, he formed a co-partnership with Frank T. Abbott, and engaged in the mercantile business, which was continued for 4-1/2 years being the time specified by agreement as the limitation of the firm. At the expiration of that time Mr. Abbott retired.  Mr. Smith having purchased his interest, continues the business in his own name, assisted by his son and only child.  Mr. Smith seems peculiarly fitted for this class of business.  He is a close buyer, and as we understand his credit among the mercantile class of New York and other cities stand A No. 1, and he is what may be properly termed, a close seller, and possesses good judgment in selecting goods suited to the wants of the people.  His store is a model of neatness, with every article arranged with care, order, and precision, and his sales room is usually free from loungers which forms an important feature in a first class store.  Mr. Smith is also what may be termed a diligent worker in his business, and by his close attention and good management, has succeeded in placing himself at the head of the dry-goods trade in this village, and is an honor to the town.  In his habits, he is temperate, frugal, and possessed of good morals, pleasant in his manners, pleased to see customers and always willing to show goods, but he is at the same time cautious in contracting bad debts.  He is also charitable and kind to the unfortunate, and is always willing to aid in any enterprise which he thinks will prove an advantage to the community.  In his personal appearance Mr. Smith stands about 5 feet 10 inches high, with dark hair and whiskers, and black eyes, and his usual weight is 125 lbs.  He has a some what stooping form and walks with rather a swinging and indifferent gait, and dresses neat but plainly with no special attempt at display, excepting in wearing a shirt stud, of the very cheapest pattern, and commonly regarded as worth about 25 cents, but really in its flashes may be detected a valuable diamond of the first water.