Biographical Sketch of

Lewis C. Smith

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou 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 695 - 696


Lewis C. Smith, dealer in general hardware, stoves and tinware, established business in Berlin in 1865.  He was born 
in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., July 4, 1839, and is a son of Alexander and Permelia (Winans) Smith.  He is descended 
from an old Massachusetts family.  His forefathers, however, removed from the Bay State to Horse Neck, Conn., in an 
early day, and thence to Genesee County, N. Y.  On the mother's side, Mr. Smith is related to the Hon. John Winans, 
of Janesville, Wis., late member of Congress from the First Wisconsin Congressional District.
 
Mr. Smith, Sr., came to Green Lake County with his family in 1865, and settled on a farm near Berlin.  His death, 
however, occurred in that city, July 13, 1889, while his wife died in 1874.
 
When eleven years of age our subject left home, and from that time made his own way in the world.  He went to Saratoga 
and New York City as a newsboy, and when sixteen years of age apprenticed himself to the tinsmith's trade in the city 
of Batavia, N. Y.  His term of service lasted four years, at the end of which time, in 1859, he came to Berlin, but 
remained only a few months, when he returned to Utica and worked as a journeyman tinner, when he enlisted in the New 
York State Militia for the late war as a private in Company E, of the 14th Regiment.  On that day Ft. Sumter surrendered, 
and two weeks later his regiment was sworn into the United States service for a term of three months, and without the 
consent of its members was transferred to the two-year term, an arrangement which included twenty-one New York Regiments, 
and cut them off from bounty and Government pensions, which was certainly a gross injustice.  Our subject participated 
in twenty-three battles and engagements.  He was first under fire in the battle of Bull Run, which was followed by the 
battles of Yorktown, Mechanicsville, Beaver Dam, Gainsville, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Charles City Cross Rhoads, 
Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Bristowe Station, Chancellorsville, Kelley Ford, second battle of Bull Run, South Mountain, 
Antieam, White Plains, Culpeper, and others.  The regiment was marched to Washington, and on the 10 of July, 1863, was 
mustered out in Utica.  Mr. Smith rose to the rank of Orderly Sergeant.  He was slightly wounded in the leg at 
Chancellorsville, a bullet struck his right ear and another was shot through his clothes, cutting off his cap box.
 
On the 16th of December, following his return from the scene of battle, Mr. Smith and Miss Mary Lewis were united in 
marriage in Utica.  The lady was a native of Wales but was brought by her parents, William and Jane Lewis, to America 
when an infant.  She died Dec. 18, 1865, leaving an infant daughter, who was named Mary Lewis, for her mother, and is 
now the wife of Thomas Dunn, of Utica, N. Y.
 
Mr. Smith came to Berlin in 1865, and for three years engaged in the hardware business, but in 1868 he closed out and 
accepted a position as foreman in the tin shop of Yates & Foote of Berlin, with which firm he continued for thirteen 
years.  He then went on a surveying expedition on the Northern Pacific Railroad across the Rocky Mountains, and while 
in Olympia, Wash. purchased the town plat of Tacoma, together with 160 acres of land adjoining the site of that city.  
He then shipped a quantity of lumber by boat to that point with the intention of establishing a town, but not liking 
the appearance of the place, he sold out for a nominal sum and went to Portland, Ore., where he bargained for a half 
interest in a hardware store.  After the inventory was made it was decided that he was to pay his money and become a 
partner on a certain Monday, but it so happened that the owner of the store had a large draft to meet the week previous 
to the Monday mentioned, and Mr. Smith was induced to draw his money and pay it on Thursday.  The following Saturday 
the great Portland fire occurred and swept away his store and capital.  Having nothing left at Portland, he went to 
San Francisco, where he had a few hundred dollars in reserve, and then started for Wisconsin.  On his return he resumed 
work in the old shop, which in the meantime had become the property of Yates & Son.
 
On the 1st of January, 1866, at Berlin, Mr. Smith wedded Miss Esther A. Rhodes, a daughter of William R. Rhodes.  Orange 
W. Smith, now a resident of Beloit, Wis., was the fruit of this union.  The mother died in Denver, Col., in 1882.
 
On the 24th of October, 1886, Mr. Smith was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Frances Rhodes, who 
was born in Utica, N. Y., and is a sister of his former wife.
 
In political sentiment Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has served as Alderman of Berlin for some years, also has been 
Chief of the Fire Department many years.  In 1881 he went on the road as traveling salesman, and the following year 
began his present business as dealer in general hardware, stoves, tinware, etc.  He is a member of Utica Post, G. A. R., 
also of Berlin Lodge, No. 36 I. O. O. F., and has filled all the chairs in the last named order several times.  Mr. Smith 
is a man of strictly temperate habits, a valued member of business circles, and has won many warm friends during his 
residence in Berlin.






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