Property Record
4620 E MILWAUKEE ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Young-Smith-Howarth Residence |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 220765 |
| Location (Address): | 4620 E MILWAUKEE ST |
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| County: | Rock |
| City: | Janesville |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
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| Year Built: | 1890 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 20122023 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Gabled Ell |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Clapboard |
| Architect: | |
| Other Buildings On Site: | Y |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Not listed |
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| National Register Listing Date: | |
| State Register Listing Date: |
| Additional Information: | Historically located in the Town of Harmony - property annexed by City of Janesville within past 20 years. Property was owned by Abraham Hyatt Smith for the final three years of his life from 1889 to 1892. Mr. Smith was a prominent citizen in Janesville and its first mayor elected in 1853. Born in New York City, he studied law and moved to Janesville in 1842 where he received a charter to dam the Rock River and construct a large flour mill. He was instrumental in the establishment of Janesville Academy, as well as a school for the blind in the city. Donated land for the building of the Episcopal Church in 1845. Beyond Janesville, Mr. Smith served as the first attorney general of the Wisconsin Territory (1847-1848) and was a member of the first state constitutional convention held in 1846. For many years was Regent of the State University in Madison and, in 1848, was appointed United States attorney for Wisconsin by President Polk. A promoter and speculator of many early Wisconsin railroad and plank road projects, he owned property in Janesville and Chicago valued at over one million dollars. His railroad transactions and the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 claimed much of his wealth. He died on 16 October 1892. While Abraham Hyatt Smith lived on the subject property, the date of construction for the subject residence could not be substantiated. It is possible that the house was built shortly following his death. Without the ability to definitively prove an association between Abraham Hyatt Smith and the subject residence, significance under Criterion B could not be substantiated (A. Hyatt Smith's former residences in the City of Janesville are no longer extant). |
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| Bibliographic References: | The History of Rock County Wisconsin; Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County Wisconsin; plat maps; tax rolls; tract book for property and probate record for Abraham Hyatt Smith in possession of Rock County Historical Society |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |