History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Smith, William G. who during his lifetime was prominent in the commercial world of Merrill for many years, was born on a farm in Marathon County, this state, Feb. 15, 1862, son of George and Henrietta (SCHROEDER) SMITH. The father was born in Wittenberg, Germany, and the mother in Pommern, Germany; both came to America with their respective families when very young, and they met and were married in Dodge County, Wisconsin. After residing for a short time in that county they went to Marathon County and settled on a farm about seven miles south of Merrill, on which place they spent the remainder of their lives, the mother passing away Oct. 2, 1900, and the father May 2, 1908. Of their family of 12 children six are now living, as follows: Emma, who is Mrs. David LYON of Wausau; Elizabeth, living in Merrill, the wife of Matt NEUBAUER; Charles, who has no established place of residence; Robert, living on the home farm in Marathon County; Frank, living in California; and Henreitta, who is Mrs. Otto PLAUTZ and is living at Merrill. William G. SMITH attended the Merrill schools and at the age of 18 years left the parental rooftree and took up his residence in this city. He came here to begin life for himself with no resources, and in building up the success he achieved he received no help from anyone. He worked at various employments during the first three years of his residence in Merrill, and in 1883 he entered business for himself, establishing a retail place which he conducted for 25 years, after which he sold out and went into the real estate business, being engaged in the latter line for nearly 15 years. He was very successful in all his dealings and had accumulated a financial competency before his death. He was an able man and a fine citizen, and his passing, which occurred on June 7, 1921, was widely mourned. On Nov. 19, 1885, Mr. SMITH married Mary NEUBAUER, who was born in Schleisingerville, Washington County, this state, June 23, 1865, daughter of Martin and Mary (ERO) NEUBAUER. Mrs. SMITH'S parents, both of whom are now deceased, were born in Germany and after their marriage there came to the United State in 1858 and settled at Schleisingerville, which is near Milwaukee. Of their family of 12 children, only two, Mrs. SMITH and a brother, Joseph NEUBAUER of Merrill, are now living. Three children, Nina, Elsa, and Leon W., were born to Mr. and Mrs. SMITH. Nina, born Nov. 14, 1886, is now Mrs. Theodore TESKE of Merrill; Elsa, who was born Jan. 30, 1889, is Mrs. Albet KING, also of Merrill; Leon W., born Oct. 20, 1891, is now the proprietor of the meat and grocery business at Merrill, fomerly owned by Julius THIELMAN. He is a graduate of the Merrill High School and the Wausau Business College, and on Nov. 24, 1915, he married Helen COTEY, who was born in Merrill March 28, 1896, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John COTEY. Mr. SMITH Sr., besides his immediate business interest, was a stockholder and director in the American State Bank from the time of its organization; he was a director and heavy stockholder in the Merrill Knitting Mills, and he was also a stockholder and director in the Kubasta Abstract and Real Estate Co., besides owning shares in the Valley Electric Co. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Eagles and Odd Fellows. He was a Republican in politics, and he served his city for many years as alderman of his ward. The family are prominent members of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Congregation and are well known and respected in the community. Previous to his death Mr. SMITH erected a nice home in the city, at 707 E. First Street, where Mrs. SMITH now resides.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 711-712, History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co

You are our [an error occurred while processing this directive] Visitor --Thanks for Stopping By.

© Copyright: All files on this website are protected by the US Copyright Law, Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, they are not to be copied or altered in any way for commercial use. Individuals may copy the information for their personal use. WIGenWeb Oneida and Vilas County Coordinator Judy Groh.