BIOGRAPHIES:  Fred SMITH, Bridge Creek, Eau Claire Co., WI 

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** Posted for informational purposes only - poster is not related to the 
subject of this biography and has no further information.

Fred Smith, farmer and stock raiser of Bridge Creek, Eau Claire
county, was born in Neukalen, Germany, January 9, 1851, the son of
Frederick and Augusta (Busch) Smith.  His ancestors were all natives
of Germany and for the most part farmers.  He had one uncle who
filled the office of public weigher in his native town, receiving a
salary of twenty cents per day.  He was also secretary of one of the
home banks.  In 1852 the father wishing to beter his condition
financially, came to America on a prospecting tour.  Arriving in this
country, he made his way to Watertown, Wis., where he found
employment.  AT the end of two years, having saved his earnings, he
returned to Germany for his family.  Upon his second arrival tot he
United States, he located on a farm in Eau Claire county where he
died at the age of 67 years, and the mother was 59 at the time of her
death.  In their immediate family were seven children, of whom Fred
is the eldest.  Of the others Laura is the wife fo F. J. Hill, and
resides at Beach, North Dakota; Amelia is now Mrs. C. A. Rick, of
Augusta, Wis.; Matilda is now Mrs. Otto Wirth, also of Augusta; May
married Samuel Horrel, from whom she was divorced and is now the wife
of George Hilts, of Augusta; Anson is also a farmer near Augusta, and
Frank, who is at present, 1914, in Canada.

Fred received a limited education in the common schools and grew to
manhood on the farm.  In 1859 he moved to his present location in
Bridge Creek where he owns 200 acres of highly cultivated and well
improved land.  In 1876 he went to Minnesota where he lived for
twenty years.  He returned to Eau Claire county in October, 1895, and
resumed his residence in Bridge Creek, where he is now considered one
of the prosperous and well to do citizens.  In addition to his home
farm of 200 acres, he owns 80 acres in Minnesota which is being
operated by his son, Howard.

Mr. Smith married in 1879 Miss Augusta, daughter of August and Eliza
(Matthews) Sherman, and they are the parents of three children, viz.:
Harry E. resides in Minneapolis; Howard L. lives at Waltham,
Minnesota, and Grace L. resided at home.  Mrs. Sherman, mother of
Mrs. Smith, was born in Canada, October 9, 1829, the daughter of
Joseph and Sarah (Hall) Matthews, and is the only surviving member of
a family of eleven children.  She was married in 1842 and raised a
family of whom Mrs. Smith and one son survive.  She makes her home
with her daughter, Mrs. Smith, and is a charming lady of 85 years,
loved and respected by all who know her.

Mr. Smith, who has practically been a resident of the county since
1859, has seen many changes take place, and has had a hand in making
many of the improvements in his township.  He is public spirited and
enjoys the friendship of a wide circle of acquaintances.  He is
prominently connected with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is a
regular attendant of the Universalist church and is independent in
politics.

-Transcribed from the "History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin,
1914," pages 866-867.

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