Biographical Sketch of

Ira E. Smith

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 408 - 409


Ira E. Smith, who is engaged in farming on section 22 in the town of Brooklyn, is a native of the Empire State. He 
was born in Orleans County, on the 14th day of October, 1839, and is a son of Clesson and Fannie (Shoemaker) Smith. 
His grandfather, Elisha Smith, was a native of Hadley, Mass., and in his native city was reared to manhood and married 
a Miss Harden, by whom he had a large family of children. Soon after his marriage he moved to Orleans County, N. Y. 
After her death he wedded Mrs. Post. He had nothng but a bundle of clothes and an axe with which to begin life in his 
new home, but by industry and economy he became one of the well-to-do citizens of the community. However, misfortune 
overtook him and he lost nearly everything. In order to assist a friend in a banking enterprise, he mortgaged his 
property, but his friend was unable to pay him and he lost all with the exception of about $800. He then determined, 
if possible, to retrieve his fortunes in the West, and at an early day settled in Green Lake County, where he somewhat 
restored his lost possessions. He died at the age of eighty-four years.

Clesson Smith was born in the Empire State in 1810, and was four times married, his secnd wife being the mother of our 
subject. She was descended from an old family of the Mohawk Valley. Having engage din farming in New York until 1842, 
Mr. Smith became possessed of the desire to make the West the scene of his future operations and disposing of his 
property in the Empire State emigrated to Michigan, and later to Erie County, Ohio, where he resided until 1857, when 
he came to Green Lake County. He died in Ripon in January, 1885. In early life he supported the Democratic party, later 
became a Freesoiler and afterwards joined the ranks of the Republican party.

The subject of this sketch is the oldest of four children. His mother died when he was about six years of age and he 
was then cared for by a step-sister until his father was again married, when he came under the rule of a stern and 
unloving stepmother. He was permitted to attend school very little after twelve years of age and was forced to engage 
in plowing when so small that the plowhandles had to be cut off in order that he might reach them. His early life seemed 
a hard one, but it probably developed that self-reliance and force of character which have been important factors in 
his later years. At the age of seventeen, he started out for himself. His first investment was in an old worn-out 
threshing machine which he repaired and for some thirtene years he engaged in threshing for the farmers in the neighborhood. When the war broke out he was no longer content to follow the peaceful career of a farmer, but was 
filled with the desire to aid his country to preserve the Union. On the 13th day of August, 1861, he enlisted in 
Company B, of the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, but on examination was rejected on account of lack of size and muscular power. 
His efforts frustrated in that direction, he then sought elsewhere for a chance to don the blue. On the 23rd day of 
September, he joined the 3rd Wisconsin Battery, Light Artillery, and with the command formed part of the Army of the 
Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Corinth, Perryville, Crab Orchard, Stone River and Chickamaugua. At Stone 
River his battery was sent across the stream as a decoy. On the approach of the rebels, the command was hurried across 
the river, Mr. Smith wading in up to his neck. During the battle of Chickamauga, owing to the giving way of a part of 
the Union line, his battery was flanked, horses and gunners being slaughtered like sheep. An Enfield rifle ball struck 
Mr. Smith's right shoulder, passed through the chest and came out under the left collarbone.

Unable longer to hold their position, two comrades seized him and ran with him until the blood so choked him that he 
lost all strength, and then left him. Another comrade, L. D. Masseure, comng along, caught Mr. Smith by the heels, 
threw him across his shoulder and ran as fast as he could. Just then a loose horse dashed by; Masseure seized it by 
the bridle, putting our subject across its back like a sack of meal and hurried away for some two miles. This thorough 
shaking relieved his lungs, and was probably the means of saving his life. He was placed n a hospital where he remained 
thirteen weeks and at the end of that time was told he must either go to the invalid corps or to the front. Though his 
wounds were still bleeding and he was scarcely able to stand, he decided to go the front rather than bear the odium 
attached to going to the invalid corps. For some nine months he did guard duty on the steamer "Lookout"; then had 
charge of the lumber camp for about eight months, after which he was mustered out at Madison, Wisconsin, July 20, 1865. 
He has been a constant sufferer since he was wounded and deserves a liberal award from the government, but receives a 
pension of only $8 per month. Mr. Smith says that he owes his life to Mr. Masseure and the friendship which he feels 
for him amounts almost to brotherly love. Masseure showed a magnaminity which his comrades thought him incapable of, 
and not a half hour before the ranks gave way Mr. Smith refused him when he offered his services to supply a vacancy 
at the gun, because, like others, he believed that Masseure did not possess the courage and fortitude for that place.

At the close of the war, Mr. Smith returned to his home a shattered man, but proud of his record and his country. He 
reached home in July, 1865, and on the 12th day of December following was united in marriage with Miss Emma Kutchin, 
daughter of Rev. T. T. and Amanda (Thomas) Kutchin, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, having been born in Buck's 
County, Oct. 9, 1837. Their union has been blessed with four children, one son and three daughters, namely: Mabel, Madge, 
Arthur and Ethel. Both parents are members of the Methodist Church and do all in their power to advance its interests. 
In political sentiment, Mr. Smith cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, after which he was a 
Republican until about eight years since, when he joined the Prohibition party and is now one of its most ardent 
advocates. He is commander of Harry Randall Post, No. 202, G. A. R., and is held in high respect by his comrades and 
many friends thorughout the country. He has followed farming throughout his entire life and is now the owner of a farm 
of fifty acres, pleasantly situated in the vicinity of Dartford.

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages






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