George W. Smith

As printed in 1916

GEORGE W. SMITH.

George W. Smith was born in Holden, Massachusetts, December 27, 1831, a son of Jonas H. and Anna E. (Rogers) Smith, both of whom were natives of Holden, Massachusetts.

Jonas H. Smith lived in the state of Massachusetts until 1836, when he moved, with his family, to the state of Vermont, living there for the remainder of his days. Jonas H. and Anna E. Smith were the parents of six children, four daughters and two sons.

George W. Smith received his education in the common schools of Stratton, Vermont, after which lie became a farmer; working on the home farm until 1855, when, at twenty-four years of age, he moved to the state of Minnesota and located in Carver township. Carver county, where he lived as a farmer until September, 1861. At this time Mr. Smith enlisted for service in the Civil War with Company A, Fourth Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, with which command he served for three years. During that time he was stationed at Ft. Ridgely, among the Indians, for six months, later being transferred to Corinth, Mississippi, from which place he was moved as a part of the army fighting in the battles at Shiloh, Corinth and Yicksburg. During the last year of his military service George W. Smith was a part of the Veteran Reserve Corps stationed at Rock Island arsenal at Rock Island, Illinois.

After the close of the Civil War, Mr. Smith returned to Minnesota and made his home in Carver county, where he was active as a farmer and as a public official, until 1878, when he came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Dora township. On taking possession of his land George W. Smith cleared the place, added the necessary improvements and after some years as a pioneer farmer he improved his farm more substantially and has since made his home on this farm, now being accorded a place among the leading farmers of this com-

8j8 other tail county, Minnesota.

munity in which he has proved Mich a worthy and useful element of citizenship.

Some time after moving to Minnesota, Mr. Smith was married to Sarah DeMerse, who was a native of Minnesota. George W. and Sarah Smith became the parents of four children: Frank H., who was born on June 16, [860; Ida 1\ September i0. 1865; Lula E.. February 21, 1868, and Marion E.,.March 23, 1872. After the death of his wife, Sarah, George W. Smith was married, secondly, in 1875, to Hannah Nelson, who was born on November 19, 1851, in Sweden. George W. and Hannah Smith became the parents of six children: Artmas. born on February 6, 1878; Evaline T., December 4, 1880; Zelpha N., December 22, 188-'; Herbert W., July 18, 1885; Matilda. February 21, [888, and George L., August 5, 1890.

As a citizen who has been prominent in the public and official life of Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and of other communities where he has made his home, George W. Smith is known as one who has made an enviable record and as one who has done no little in bringing about the present high development of the community life. While a resident of Carver county, Mr. Smith was known as a must trustworthy and faithful deputy sheriff and after moving to this county his ability was-non demonstrated in his successful efforts to establish and maintain a township organization with efficient schools and educational facilities. For many years Mr. Smith was a faithful and influential member of the school board in Dora township, this county, and during several terms of office he was chairman of the township board of supervisors, as well as having served in his usual able manner as township treasurer, for many years. Politically, Mr. Smith is an ardent Republican. In church circles George \Y. Smith is well known, his activity as a member and as an official of the Presbyterian church of this community being an important part in the religious life of Dora township.

As printed in History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.