Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Smith, Horace S 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com September 3, 2007, 5:25 pm

Author: Genealogical/Biographical Publishing Co

HORACE S. SMITH. The name of Mr. Smith is indissolubly associated with the 
pioneer history of the Bessemer steel process in Joliet. Like many of our 
country's successful men, he had no special advantages in youth, but made his 
own way in the world from an early age; like them, too, it was not until 
comparatively late in life that he became identified with the business in 
which his greatest success was achieved. The high standing which he reached in 
the steel industry was due to a combination of business ability and mechanical 
ingenuity, together with the courage to mark out new paths and introduce 
radical changes where he deemed best. In fact, the innovations that he made 
were so striking as to attract the attention of the entire steel trade, both 
in this country and abroad, and men who were engaged in the business 
continually sought Joliet in order to study the latest improvements in the 
manipulation of Bessemer steel.

The life which this narrative sketches began in Dunstable, N. H., December 28, 
1826, and closed in Chicago, Ill., October 17, 1899. After years of service in 
the operating and mechanical departments of railroads in the east and west, 
rising through various positions, Mr. Smith was offered the position of master 
mechanic of the Chicago & Alton Railroad at Bloomington, Ill., a position, 
however, that he was destined not to fill, owing to his success in the 
management of the Joliet steel mills. In 1876 Alexander J. Forbes Leith, then 
receiver of the Joliet Iron & Steel Company, offered him the management of the 
works. Although he was without experience in either rolling mills or steel 
works, he undertook the difficult task of placing a bankrupt plant upon a 
sound financial basis. The succeeding years were filled with responsibilities 
and crowded with hard work. Determined to thoroughly understand the business, 
he gave every department the closest attention and as late as midnight he was 
often to be found studying the art of making Bessemer steel. In spite of the 
fact that he lacked money and his workmen lacked experience, he made a success 
of the business. In 1878 a reorganization was effected and the Joliet Steel 
Company established, which continued until the plant was merged into that of 
the Illinois Steel Company in 1889.

While for a few years Mr. Smith was a student of the business and followed in 
the steps of others, yet after a time his originality began to assert itself. 
He then became a leader and others followed. Under his management his plant 
was the first to roll steel direct without reheating from the ingot, which 
practice is to-day common throughout the world. His company was also the first 
to roll rails without hook and tongs men, and was among the first to introduce 
the rolling of double length rails. In 1887 the plant produced more steel 
rails than any other mill in the world, over two hundred thousand tons being 
the output; and, in recognition of this unparalleled record, Mr. Smith was 
presented with a gold medal by his officers and staff. His greatest mechanical 
triumph was the development of intricate automatic machinery for rolling rails 
and billets, which greatly increased the capacity of a train of rolls and 
dispensed with much high-priced labor. The device that he constructed is, with 
slight modifications in form, now in use in the majority of the large rail 
mills.
 
Through the efforts of Mr. Smith the company became interested in the wire rod 
business. At the time the Joliet rod mill was built the largest output per 
turn had sixty tons. The Joliet mill was designed for one hundred tons, but 
soon exceeded the estimated output, and is to-day, after many additions, the 
largest single producer of rods in the world. He was also connected, as one of 
its principal officials, with the Fox Pressed Steel Company. Machinery for 
this plant was imported from England. In a few months he had completely 
changed the valves and improved the method of operation, so that the results 
were greatly increased. Shortly after the organization of the Illinois Steel 
Company he was given the oversight of the company's plants and removed to 
Chicago. Subsequently he became second vice-president and a director of the 
company, which positions he held until his retirement from business in 1896.

At Clarendon, Vt., September 9, 1852, Mr. Smith married Miss Freelove M. 
Pierce, daughter of Oliver and Mary (Wright) Pierce, natives of Rutland 
County, that state. Mrs. Smith was educated at Castleton Seminary, in Rutland 
County. 

Though not a politician Mr. Smith was well informed regarding public affairs 
and stanchly adhered to Republican principles. His father had been a lecturer 
and supporter of Masonry in New England and he himself was connected with the 
Royal Arch Chapter in Troy, N. Y. The high teachings of that order he 
exemplified in his life. He was a member also of the Kenwood Club and the 
Union League Club of Chicago.
 
The tribute to the memory of Mr. Smith from the pen of William Garrett, of 
Cleveland, Ohio, shows the high esteem in which he was held. We quote from it 
as follows: 

"To bring order out of chaos, perfect discipline out of lawlessness, 
prosperity out of bankruptcy, are results that can be accomplished only by men 
of master minds, and Mr. Smith well might stand with the same class of men as 
Bismarck and Grant, having the same inflexible will and gift of organization 
as the former and the dogged perseverance and fixedness of purpose as the 
latter.

"He did more to build up the city of Joliet that any other man, and he was 
highly respected and beloved by all its citizens; as a friend, steadfast and 
strong, and as a husband, kind and affectionate; and where stern measures were 
necessary intensely strong willed, but mild and affectionate in his home life. 
He died loved and respected by all who knew him."

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present

Biographical Publishing Company; Chicago 1900

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