Bio: Smith, J. Henry
Contact: Janet Schwarze
Email: Posted4u@Charter.net

---Source: 1881 History of Northern Wisconsin, pg. 224.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF J. HENRY SMITH

J. HENRY SMITH, P. O. Chippewa Falls, moved to this place from Summit, Waukesha Co., in the Fall of 1858,where he had lived from 1842. He was born in Connought, Ohio, Nov. 17, 1839. His parents, Moses Reed and Laura Smith, reside with him. His father was a native of Vermont, born Jan. 4, 1797. His (stepmother) was born Sept. 4, 1810. They both are remarkably well preserved, mentally and physically. His maternal grandmother is also a member of his household at the age of nearly ninety four years, mentally strong and until within a year could see plainly to read and sew without the use of spectacles; at the age of eighty years she journeyed from Boston to Chippewa Falls without complaining of fatigue; she had two uncles who served in the Revolution. Moses Smith, one of the very early settler of Merton, Waukesha Co., coming through from Ohio and moved into a small log house, one room below and one above, with a Mr. Cheney and family consisting of eleven members, and Mr. Smith's further increasing it to eighteen members. This was in December. 1843, and there was considerable snow on the ground. In a week Mr. Smith got up a house of his own and moved and Charles E. Smith was appointed. These changes were not on account of wrangling by aspirants to get the office, but to get rid of it. The town, which is twelve miles long by six in width, has another post-office, named Vale, established in 1878, Mr. James Warren taking the office May 8. The early settlers were somewhat troubled by unseasonable visits from Indians. At one time a large deputation visited Mr. Willis's house during his absence in the field. He was a single man then, and, like a prudent man, when he went to the field to work, locked up his house. The Indians robbed him of about $30 worth of clothing and provisions. Among other things, they bagged up a lot of corn and carried it away. Mr. W. and others of his neighbors gave pursuit, but, although getting on their trail, never recovered his property, though he got some blankets and berries which the Indians in their flight had left on a bluff.