Biographical Sketch of

John Smith

Transcribed by Robert Schieber

Source: Memorial and Biographical Record and Illustrated Compendium of Biography of Citizens of Columbia, 
Sauk and Adams Counties, Wisconsin, published 1901 by G. A. Ogle & Co., Chicago, 1901, Page 635


John Smith, a prosperous and intelligent farmer residing on section 11, Richfield township, Adams county, 
Wisconsin, was born in Allegany county, New York, September 26, 1849, and on the paternal side is of German 
descent, his great-grandfather, Michael Smith, being a native of Germany.  His grandfather, Michael S. Smith, 
was born near Bunker Hill on the day of the famous battle at that place during the Revolutionary war.

William A. Smith, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Galway, Schoharie county, New York, 
October 9, 1819, and was married in Allegany county, that state, March 25, 1847, to Mary M. Beeby, a native 
of the town of Brookfield, Madison county, New York.  Her father, Seth Beeby, a farmer by occupation, was 
born in Wilbraham, Massachusetts,  July 21, 1782, and married Elsie Potter, who was born in Brookfield, New 
York, July 29, 1803.  Her paternal grandparents were Zadock and Sarah (Leach) Beeby, the former born in England 
in 1744, the latter in New London, Massachusetts, in 1742.  Her father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, 
and was taken prisoner by the Indians, together with his brother, who was massacred, but he managed to escape 
the night after his capture and wandered about through the woods for thirteen days without anything to eat.  
He finally found a dead horse, on which he lived until he gained strength to crawl on his hands and knees, and 
in that way returned home.  In 1863 the parents of our subject came to Wisconsin and first located in Waushara 
county, where they made their home for six years.  Coming to Adams county at the end of that time the father 
purchased on hundred and sixty acres of land in Richfield township, upon which our subject now lives.  On 
settling there only about forty acres had been cleared, and the other improvements consisted of a log house 
and a good barn costing seven hundred dollars.  Thoughout his active business life the father followed the 
occupation of a farmer, and supported the Democratic party by his ballot.

Our subject also devotes his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and is now the owner of a good farm 
of two hundred and thirty acres, of which seventy-five acres are under cultivation.  On the 8th of January, 
1870, at Richford, Waushara county, he was united in marriage with Miss Addie Mott.  Her father, Almeron A. Mott, 
was born in Montpelier, Vermont, July 11, 1825, a son of Abraham Mott, a farmer of that state.  In 1849 he was 
married to Harriet Dow, also a native of Montpelier, born January 20, 1823.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents 
of four children, namely:  Francis, deceased;  Bertha, wife of Edward Carpenter, of Adams county, Wisconsin:  
Myrtle, wife of William Carpenter, of the same county;  and Archie J.  In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican, 
and never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.  He is 
progressive and public-spirited and keeps well informed on the leading questions and issues of the day.


Transcribed by Robert Schieber






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