Bio: Smith, M. S. (1881)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Smith, Oleson

----Source: History of Northern Wisconsin (Eau Claire County, Wis.) 1881, page 332

M. S. SMITH, Eau Claire, was born in Portsmouth, N. H., July 8, 1841, and ran away from home and entered the U. S. navy in 1858, under the name of Billy Smith. Went to the coast of Africa, in sloop of war "Constellation," with Commodore Inman, and returned in store ship "Supply" to Brooklyn, in 1859. In 1860, he went to San Domingo in the brig "John Shaw," of Machias, Me., returning to Philadelphia in the latter part of October, l86l, and at that time again entered the navy, and in the sloop of war "Brooklyn," was on the blockade off New Orleans. Was at the capture of New Orleans and the first fight at Vicksburg, at the battle of Ft. Donelson, at the bombardment of Galveston. From there he went to Charleston, and then to Brooklyn, where, in the latter part of 1863, he left the service on account of disability. In 1864, he again entered the service, finally leaving at the close of the war. He came to Stillwater, Minn., in 1870, serving as a cook in the woods the Winter after his arrival. Was then in a fish and oyster market in St. Paul and Minneapolis. In November, 1871, he came to Eau Claire, and was for some time employed as cook in the woods and on the log drives. Sept. 1, 1872, he was married to Annie Oleson, who was born in Rockford, Ill. After two season's cooking in the woods, he opened a hotel, and was proprietor of the Greenman House for three years. In 1875, with one horse and buggy, he opened a livery stable, and has now one of the best stocked stables in this region. Mr. Smith was for a time considerably interested in the circus and show business.