Historical Rosters Database

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William Wise Smith

Roster ID 895
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:William
Middle Name:Wise
Last Name:Smith
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1870
Biography & Genealogy:William Wise Smith, Class of 1870: Genealogy: Born- Jan. 19, 1847 in Murfreesboro, NC. Father- William N.H. Smith; Mother- Mary O. Wise. Pat. Grandfather- William Lay Smith; Pat. Grandmother- Nancy Harrell. Mat. Grandfather- William B. Wise; Mat. Grandmother- Sarah [maiden name unknown]. Married- Eula S. Wise, daughter of M.W. Wise on June 10, 1878. (probably a cousin on Smith's maternal side) Children- 1- W. N. H. Smith; 2- Louis M. Smith; 3- Gordon Smith. VMI Record: Entered VMI- Aug. 16, 1866; Graduated July 4, 1870 standing 25 in a class of 52. Civil War Record- Unofficial source says he was a Private in the 62nd NC Cavalry 1864-65. Careers- Insurance businessman in Raleigh, NC. Died- Sept. 19, 1923.

About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516