Mishicot Historical Museum

Two photos of the gravestone for Daniel Smith, pioneer founder of the Village of Mishicot. One photo was published in the Manitowoc County Reporter on January 30, 1980.

Obituary for Daniel Smith published in the Manitowoc Pilot:

Died at his residence in the town of Mishicot, on Thursday. Mr. Daniel Smith was aged 57 years.

The deceased was born in Pennsylvania in 1801 and emigrated to Marion, Wayne County, N. Y. in 1808 where he resided till 1820. From Marion he removed to Rochester, and from that city, in 1845, (1844) he came to Two Rivers, then almost a wilderness where he resided until a short time. Recently he has purchased a large tract of land in the town of Mischicott, to which he removed. He commenced making substantial improvements, and long before his disease had the satisfaction of finding himself a citizen of a neat and flourishing village grown into prosperity under his special care and influence.

Mr. Smith was a man who pursed life along the unosttehtatious paths of useful and practical enterprise. And has left behind him evidences of accomplished effort which will be of lasting benefit, and prove a worthy example to those who remain and come after. He was justly regarded as one of the most prominent citizens of our county — not from his desire to obtain popular favor, nor for his ambition in the common strife for distinguished honors—but because he was an early citizen, whose honorable and upright conduct distinguished him from the majority of those who seek the western country as mere adventures in pursuit of worldly gains. He possessed superior business qualifications, a clear judgment and an honest heart.

His comfortable mansion was the home of hospitality— the poor and distressed were the objects of his generous sympathy and to his friends he was faithful and true.

The loss of such a man to our community is deeply to be lamented, but his sudden and somewhat unexpected decease brings a desolation to the “home circle” Which can only be realized by her whose deep sorrow will be mitigated by the grateful recollection of unremitting kindness, through long, long years and by the children who, while they live, will cherish the memory of a kind, indulgent father, whom they loved and honored.

Monument to the Late Daniel Smith Article — Published in the Manitowoc Pilot on March 29, 1860:

We had the opportunity on Friday last of inspecting the splendid monument erected at Michicott, to the memory of the late Daniel Smith by his widow and the children of the deceased. The monument is a solid column of pure marble, resting upon a base composed of square blocks, the largest of which is about four feet square by one foot thick. Upon on of these blocks, is inscribed, in large letters the family name. Upon one side of the column is the following inscription:

DANIEL SMITH BORN APRIL 15, 1801 DIED OCTOBER 2,1858. Inserted in a beautiful sculptured wreath is the passage of scripture:

“Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that is peace”

Between the base and the capital are also the names, births and ages of three daughters, two of whom rest by his side and one in the cemetery at Buffalo.

Upon the upper part of the columns a scroll surrounded by a wreath and surrounding it is an urn upon which is a wreath. The height is 14 feet and its weight of the whole structure is 44 tons. It is erected in the burial place belonging to the estate, upon an elevated piece of ground overlooking the river and the beautiful scenery surrounding the village. It is a most fitting tribute of love and respect and marks the resting place of a good man.