contributor: Richard LeBrosse

Oconto 
1940  

-Leonard George Smith, 79, Oconto chief of police for more than 50 years until his retirement a few years ago and one of the best known and widely respected citizens of the community, passed away at his home in Oconto Tuesday evening. His death was attributed to a stroke suffered four days earlier. He had been in failing health for a number of years, but continued to remain active until a few days before his death.

The body will remain at the Gagnon Funeral home from where services will be conducted Friday afternoon with the Rev. Fr. John Hilton of St. Marks Episcopal church officiating. Odd Fellow services will be held. Burial will be in the Evergreen cemetery.

Mr. Smith lived his entire life in Oconto, where he was born, the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Smith, on September 25, 1860. On April 17, 1890, he was united in marriage with Emma Ritchie at St. Peters parsonage. To this union were born five children, of whom three survive, Marion, Waukegan, Ill.; Myrtle, Detroit, Michl, and one son, George, Wisconsin Rapids. A brother, H. C. Smith, Rock Island, Ill.; also survives. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge, Modern Woodman, and of the Chief of Police association of Wisconsin, and the E.R.A. Mr. Smith was head of the Oconto Police department for over 50 years, taking office in 1884 and serving faithfully and well as police commissioner until his retirement in 1935. For many years he also was city poor commissioner.