William Smith

William Smith (March 26, 1831 – January 17, 1912) was a career officer in the United States Army. A Union Army veteran of the American Civil War, he served from 1861 to 1895 and was most notable for his service as Paymaster-General of the United States Army from 1890 to 1895.

Early life William Smith was born in Orwell, Vermont from March 26, 1831, a son of Israel Smith 1790–1865) and Delia Ferguson Smith (1795–1882). He attended the schools of Orwell and taught school while attending the University of Vermont (UVM), from which he graduated in 1854 with an AB. In 1856, UVM awarded him an AM. After graduating, Smith taught school while studying law.

Career In August 1861, Smith's application for a commission was approved, and he was appointed a paymaster in the Union Army. He served in New Orleans from 1870 to 1872, and Sioux City, Iowa from 1872 and 1873. He served in Saint Paul again from 1873 to 1880. Smith was posted to Washington, D.C. from 1880 to 1884, and St. Paul from 1884 to 1887. Smith served in Chicago, Illinois from 1886 to 1890, and he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in September 1888. From 1888 to 1890, Smith served again in Saint Paul. Smith served until March 25, 1895, when he left the military after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64. He was succeeded by Thaddeus Harlan Stanton.

Later life In retirement, Smith was a resident first of St. Paul, and later of Pelham Manor, New York. As a result of his Civil War service, he was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. Smith was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution by right of descent from his grandfather Pliny Smith, a Massachusetts Militia veteran of the American Revolutionary War. He was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Orwell. They were the parents of three children: Katherine Delia (1873–1951), William McAllister (1875–1966), and Harry Hall (1877–1909).