|
Edwin R. Smith, principal of the high school at Manitowoc (1888) and a member of G. A. R. Post
No. 18, was born March 27, 1844, at Spring Prairie, Walworth Co., Wisconsin. To the age of 18 he
was engaged in attendance at school, preparing for the profession of a teacher and engaged in
teaching several terms before the Government had need of his services as one of her sons
in the defense of the National integrity. The attack on the forts in Charleston harbor and the
surge of public sentiment awakened in him a spirit that demanded expression and he enlisted in April,
1861, in Company F, 2nd Wisconsin Infantry. He was underage and still within paternal jurisdiction
and was refused muster on account of the determined opposition of his father. He did not
relinquish his purpose and, August 14, 1862, he enlisted in an organization at that date called
the 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery. The command was sent to Washington where it was engaged
in garrison duty during its entire period of service. Mr. Smith received honorable discharge
July 13, 1865, at Milwaukee, after a most credible service in behalf of the protection of the National
Capital. The battery to which he belonged became so efficient in duty and so proficient in drill, as
to attract much attention and was inspected by two British military officers who had been sent to
this country to take observations and they reported Battery A, one of the best that had fallen
under their notice as Foot Artillery. The commendation of English military officials at that date
had a peculiar weight.
On his return from the army after the close of the war, he resumed teaching. In 1868 he assumed
charge of the public schools of East Troy, Walworth county, and discharged the duties of that
trust three years. His next engagement was in the same capacity in Burlington, Racine county, where
he was occupied 11 years. In 1883 he bacame connected with his present position, in which he is
discharging his obligations with the same quality of credit to himself and satisfaction to his patrons
that has characterized his entire career as an instructor. He was married in 1871 to Harriet May
Dickerman and they have three children -- Oliver Edwin, born Aug. 26, 1872; Florence May, born
Aug. 21, 1874; and an infant born Nov. 26, 1887.
|
