Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: Smith, Ferk, Myhrwold
----Source: Greenwood Gleaner (Greenwood, Clark Co., Wis.) 21 Feb 1963
"I wonder sometimes why we should be so much afraid of the risk of atomic war. The Communists have much more to lose that we have, because we know we have a better life in the hereafter; they do not. This would be far better than living under Communism." Dr. John Smith stated these convictions during the Cuban crisis last fall.
He grew up right in the middle of things – in Pittsville, the geographical center of the state, although he was born at Roshot. His father was the Pharmacist at Pittsville, but died suddenly when John was ten.
After high school, he was inducted into the Army and served in the Field Artillery in the European Theatre of Operations. Upon his return, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin and studied there two and a half years.
About this time he returned to Pittsville to complete another campaign, culminating in a march up the aisle of the church will Miss Corinne Ferk. They march down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Smith came from a farm, and they had been acquainted all through school. They went to Marquette University, where, in four years John earned his D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery), and Corinne earned her P.H.T. (Putting Hubby Through.) While he studied, she worked as a stenographer under State Civil Service.
They now have four children: Mark, John Mathew and Maria. Would Maria have been Luke, has she been a boy?
Dr. Smith enjoys his work. He insists that all his work must be thorough, as he feels anything less is an injustice to the patients. "It would be a lot easier and more rewarding form a financial standpoint to practice dentistry the easy way, but in the long run I wouldn't be able to live with myself.."
Dr. Smith and his family enjoy the outdoor life. Whenever they can, they slip over to their cottage on Mead Lake. Conferences, study clubs, and meetings occupy much of his "spare" time. Few realize how much is required in order to keep up with new developments in the dental field.
To relieve pain; to repair and care for the teeth of people of his community; to help to build a better community; and to enjoy his home, his family, and nature – that is Doc Smith.
