Hezekiah Bradley Smith

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Hezekiah Bradley Smith (1816-1887)
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Hezekiah Bradley Smith (1816-1887)
Agnes M. Gilkerson (1840-1881) circa 1865
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Agnes M. Gilkerson (1840-1881) circa 1865

Hezekiah Bradley Smith (July 24, 1816November 3, 1887), was an American inventor and U.S. Representative from New Jersey who was a bigamist.

Contents

[edit] Birth and early career

He was born in Bridgewater, Windsor County, Vermont on July 24, 1816 and was trained as a cabinet maker. Around 1840 he moved to Lowell, Massachusetts, to begin manufacturing his patented woodworking machinery. He had over forty patents for his inventions with the US Patent Office.

[edit] Marriage

He met Eveline English (1822-1897) and they moved from Vermont to New Hampshire and had a child: Elton Smith (1845-1917).

[edit] New Jersey

In 1865 Hezekiah moved to Smithville, Burlington County, New Jersey and continued manufacturing of his novel woodworking machinery. In 1878 he incorporated under the name "H.B. Smith Machine Company".

[edit] Abandoned wife and family

He abandoned his wife and married Agnes M. Gilkerson (1840-1881) which caused a scandal.

[edit] Inventions

He manufactured the Star bicycle. This machine had a larger back wheel where the rider sat and a smaller front wheel for steering. He also manufactured the first steam-driven vehicle operated in New Jersey.

[edit] Politics

He was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth United States Congress which ran from March 4, 1879 to March 3, 1881. During the election it was discovered he was a bigamist. He was not re-elected to the Forty-seventh United States Congress and he returned to his business. He then was a member of the New Jersey Senate from 1883 to 1885. When Agnes died in 1881 Hezekiah erected a large statue to her.

[edit] Death

He died in Smithville, Burlington County, New Jersey November 3, 1887 and he was buried in either the Pine Street Cemetery or the Saint Andrews Cemetery in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

[edit] Desecration of grave

In 1897 Elton had the statue of his stepmother toppled then buried using workers from his factory. He also tried to have his father and stepmother dug up so they could be moved away from his natural mother. He discovered that his father had protected the grave by covering the caskets with concrete and steel.

[edit] Archive

His papers are archived at Rutgers University, Alexander Library Department of Special Collections and Archives in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Papers from 1887-1954 are in 4 volumes and 1 reel of microfilm.

[edit] Patents

  • 006,343 Apr. 17, 1849; H.B. Smith; Mortiser for window-blind stiles
  • 010,422 Jan. 10, 1854; H.B. Smith; Mortising-machine
  • 013,663 Oct. 09, 1855; H.B. Smith; Mortising machine
  • 017,701 Jun. 30, 1857; H.B. Smith; Mortising machine mortising machines
  • 020,824 Jul. 06, 1858; H.B. Smith; Balanced head for molding machine
  • 025,221 Aug. 23, 1859; H.B. Smith; Mortising machine
  • 050,178 Sep. 26, 1865; H.B. Smith; Improvement in planing-machines
  • 050,637 Oct. 24, 1865; H.B. Smith; Improvement in planing-machines
  • 052,219 Jan. 23, 1866; H.B. Smith; Improvement in tenoning-machines
  • 138,103 Apr. 22, 1873; H.B. Smith; Improvement in scroll-saws
  • 398,548 Feb. 26, 1889; H.B. Smith; Steam-powered Tricycle

[edit] Timeline

  • 1816 Birth of Hezekiah Bradley Smith (1816-1887) in Vermont
  • 1853 He meets Agnes Gilkerson
  • 1865 Shreveville, New Jersey renamed Smithville, New Jersey
  • 1879 Start of Congressional term
  • 1880 US Census of Smithville, New Jersey with Hezekiah
  • 1880 US Census of Woodstock, Vermont with Eveline
  • 1881 Death of Agnes Gilkerson, his second wife, on January 26th
  • 1881 End of Congressional term
  • 1887 Death of Hezekiah Bradley Smith (1816-1887) in New Jersey
  • 1897 Death of Eveline English (1822-1897) his first wife

[edit] References

[edit] Selected references in the New York Times

  • New York Times; November 22, 1878; pg. 2; "Hezekiah's two wives. A Congressman's predicament. One wife in Vermont and another in New Jersey. The greenback congressman elect in trouble. The friends here of Hon. H.B. Smith, of Smithville, New Jersey, will be glad to learn that be has been elected to Congrese by the Democrats of the Second District of that State. He will be an honest and faithful member."
  • New York Times; November 4, 1887; pg. 3; "Hezekiah B. Smith dead; The end of a long and active business career. Trenton, New Jersey, November 3, 1887. Hezekiah B. Smith died at Smithville, Burlington County, today. Mr. Smith was born at Bridgewater, Vermont, in 1816. He learned the trade of a worker in wood and at 19 went into business for himself."
  • New York Times; May 28, 1897; "Fateful statue broken. Marble Effigy of Agnes Gilkerson demolished by orders of the son of Hezekiah B. Smith. A family deserted for her. Her advice made her lover a Millionaire. The Last Relic of a Historic Domestic Tragedy Swept Away as Dirt. Mount Holly, New Jersey, May 27, 1897. The statue of Agnes Gilkerson was destroyed today. The work was done by the men employed in the mills at Smithville under the direction of Capt. Elton J. Smith, son of Hezekiah B. Smith, who erected the statue in memory of the woman who was his companion for many years."

[edit] External links