BIOGRAPHIES: Justus C. SMITH, Elk Mound, Dunn Co., WI ********************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Submitted by: Laura Abood 20 November 2004 ********************************************************************* Justus C. SMITH, a retired farmer now living in the village of Elk Mound, has a record well worth preservation, both as a pioneer of Dunn County and an agriculturist of half a century's actual experience. He was born in the town of Buckingham, Province of Quebec, Canada, Nov. 1, 1843, son of John O. and Sarah A. (Chipman) Smith. The father was born in Canada, May 11, 1820, and the mother in New York State, June 10, 1816. Having met and become acquainted with each other during their school days, they were married on June 19, 1842. They spent their subsequent years in Canada as farmers, Mrs. Smith being the first to pass away, on Jan. 9, 1892. Her husband survived her until April 6, 1909. Their children, nine in number, were as follows: Justus C., of Elk Mound, Wis.; Henry O., born July 16, 1845, now a retired farmer living in Eau Claire; Mary S., born March 19, 1847, who became the wife of Henry Seaman and died Oct. 31, 1904; Sarah A., born Dec. 17, 1848, who married John Seaman and died July 29, 1923; Ralph C., born Aug. 26, 1850, who died July 10, 1899; Frances C., born Oct. 10, 1852, married John Cork, and died July 17, 1908; Charlotte M., born May 7, 1855, who died July 29, 1857; Frederick S., born Nov. 12, 1857, who lives on the old homestead in Buckingham, Province of Quebec, Canada; and George W., born Aug. 22, 1859, who died June 10, 1860. Justus C. Smith as a boy attended school in Canada, and had attained his majority when he came to the States in July, 1865, locating in Eau Claire. The Civil War had ended but three months before, or less, and in every part of the Union returned soldiers were seeking to resume their place in the industrial life of the nation. Eau Claire had its compliment of the soldiers, but there was plenty of work to be done, especially in the lumber business, which was rapidly expanding. Young Smith found a place to fit in, and until 1870 he worked in the woods and on the river, with headquarters at Eau Claire. The cutting away of the forests was revealing vast stretches of land admirable for agricultural purposes, and the farmer was close on the heels of the lumberman. The more permanent occupation appealed to Mr. Smith, and in 1870, there, with his brother, Henry O., he came to Dunn County and purchased a 160-acre tract in the town of Spring Brook. Three years later he bought his brother's interest in the property and continued to improve it, in time fencing the entire tract and putting it all under cultivation. It was on that place that he spent the half century of agricultural endeavor already referred to, and during which he accomplished notable results. Having retired from work in April, 1920, he has since resided in Elk Mound, enjoying years of restful ease. He has sold 80 acres of his farm to his son, Charles D., and now rents the other 80 to his son, Hugh L. For many years during his active career he was a member of the school board of his district and he also served for several years as road overseer. Mr. Smith was married in the town of Spring Brook, to Eleanor Hoskin, who was born in De Kalb County, Ill., daughter of Duane and Phoebe A. (Hayward) Hoskin. Her parents had located in that county in the early 50's on their arrival from New York State. In 1867 they came to Dunn County, arriving here May 2nd, and settled in the town of Elk Mound, where they made their home until Mr. Hoskin's death in 1884. Mrs. Hoskin then went to the State of Washington, where she lived for 36 years after, passing away in 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been the parents of ten children, namely, Fred C., Ethel, Sarah D., Phoebe B., Thomas J., Charles D., Olive M., Hugh L., Ralph L., and William J., of whom the following is a further record. Fred C., born Feb. 5, 1874, married Bernice Avery, and died Feb. 7, 1913, leaving four children, Blanche, Justus, Duane and Donald. Ethel, born July 17, 1875, and who married Walter Lee, died July 17, 1903, leaving two children, Merton and Doris. Sarah D., born March 12, 1877, now Mrs. C. A. Wood of Clarkston, Wash., has six children, Mabel, Earl, Hugh, Thomas, William and Robert. William was killed in an auto accident in October 1924. Phoebe B., born Dec. 20, 1878, is now Mrs. Clyde Mason of Caryville, Dunn County and has three children, Daisy, Vera and Howard. Thomas J., born Oct. 25, 1881, married Mrs. Fred Smith, widow of his eldest brother, and has a daughter, Eleanor; they reside at Peck, Idaho. Charles D., born Nov. 17, 1884, died April 2, 1918; he married Lena Kilkendahl and they had three children, Lyle, Thelmo and Allen. Olive M., born Jan. 22, 1889, is the wife of Alvin Webert, a farmer in Chippewa County, and has four children, Carl, Guy, Merlin and Robert S. Hugh L., born June 13, 1892, married Lizie Shoff; they operate the old home farm and have four children, Eleanor, Frederick, Ralph, Edward and Charles M. Ralph L., born March 28, 1895, was the first man drafted into the army from the town of Spring Brook, for World War service, and was killed in action in the Argone Forest, Sept. 18, 1918; he was with Company A, 39th Infantry. William J., born Nov. 3, 1899, is residing at home with his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Unitarian Society, also of the Dunn County Old Settlers' Association. -Transcribed from the "History of Dunn County Wisconsin, 1925," page 816 © All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm