William Edward Smith

WILLIAM EDWARD SMITH, business manager of the D. Sinclair Publishing Company of Winona, is an enterprising and prominent business man, devoted to the best interests of this community and its upbuilding. He was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on the 20th of June, 1853, and is the eldest of three sons, whose parents were Haskell G. and Lucretia (Collins) Smith. The paternal grandfather, Ashbel Smith, was born in Vermont, and was of English lineage. He geared a large family and lived to a good old age. The maternal grandfather, Cicero Collins, was a native of Connecticut, and was of English lineage. He also reared a large family and lived to an advanced age. One of his ancestors was the first resident minister of Litchfield, Conn. Haskell G. Smith, who was born in the Green Mountain State, was a railroad man, and for some time was general manager for a road on Long Island. He afterwards retired to a farm near Goshen, Conn., where he spent his last days, his death occurring August 19, 1883, at the age of sixty-seven. His wife, a native of Connecticut, still survives him. Their three children are William E., Edward C. and Charles C.

The eldest son was relied in Goshen, Conn., and began his education in its public schools, after which he attended boarding-schools in Norwalk and New Haven, Conn., preparing himself to take up a scientific course in Yale College, which he entered in 1869. He there continued his studies for three years, fitting himself for a civil engineer, which profession he followed from 1872 until 1874. In that year he returned to the old homestead, where he remained until 1877, when he came to the West and entered the employ of the North-western Road, in the supply department at Clinton, Iowa. He left that place on the 29th of January, 1878, and anme atonceto Winona, Minn., to fill the position in that company's shops of chief clerk, in which capacity he served for ten months, when he was made traveling auditor. To that position he devoted his time and. energies until 1881, when he returned to the shops at Winona.

On the 7th of November, 1879, Mr. Smith was

Google united in marriage with Miss Clara M. Sinclair, daughter of Daniel and Melissa J. (Briggs) Sinclair. Three children were born to them: Donald, who died at the age of eight 3'ears; and Gordon ' and Stanley, who are still with their parents.

Mr. Smith is a member of Prairie Lodge No. 7, L O. O. F.; and of Oak Grove Lodge No. 15, Order of Druids. His wife belongs to the Congregational Church. On the ist of January, 1883, he purchased an interest in the Winona Bepublican a daily and weekly newspaper, in connection with which there is also carried on a job-printing department and bindery. The publishers also own their building, a fine three-story brick structure at the corner of Third and Center Streets.

Almus H. Smith.

LMUS H. SMITH, a wide-awake and enterprising citizen of Winona County, and the owner of Hillsdale Park Farm, claims New York as the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred near Elmira, in Chemung County, in September, 1844. He is the eldest of three children, whose parents were Lorenzo D. and Cynthia C. (Chatfield) Smith. His sister Alphia is the wife of Michael Doran, a resident of Winona; and Amelia is the widow of John Kenny, and makes her home in South Dakota.

The father of this family was a cabinet-maker by trade. He i*resided in the Empire State until 1851, when he determined to seek a home in the West, and emigrated to Oswego, Ill., where he worked at his trade for about a year. In 1852 he came to Minnesota, settling in St. Paul, where he carried on cabinet-making until 1854. In the spring of that year he came to Winona, having been appointed receiver in the land-office at that place, a Government position, which he held for about two years. He was one of the company who organized the Transit Railroad, now a part of the Chicago k North-western System, took considerable stock in the enterprise, and became one of the Directors of the company, but the road was not completed at that time. It now forms a part of what is known as the Winona & St Peter Railroad. Subsequently, Mr. Smith turned his attention to the real-estate business, which he carried on in Winona until his death. He passed away on the 3d of September, 1863, and was laid to rest in Winona Cemetery. He field membership with the Masonic lodge, and was recognized as one of the leading business men of the city. He possessed excellent executive ability, was sagacious and farsighted, and labored not only for his own interest, but was also deeply interested in the welfare of his adopted county.

Almus H. Smith accompanied his parents on their various removals, and at the age of ten years came with them to Winona County. In the public schools he acquired a practical English education, and when seventeen years of age he began life for himself. For a few months he engaged in grading railroads, and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he followed until December, 1864. He was then twenty years of

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Here Mr. Smith resumed farming, and lived upon the old homestead for ten years, from 1866 until 1876, when he rented a farm, which was his home for about seven years. On the expiration of that period he purchased the Hillsdale Park Farm, which is now his home. It is a valuable and desirable place, and yields to the owner a good income.

On the 28th of November, 1872, was celebmted the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Jennie C.

Floyd, who was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, on the 25th of April, 1850, and is a daughter of James M. and Elizabeth (Wilgus) Floyd. To them were born three children, but Clarence C, born February 27, 1877, is the only one now living. Harry and Herby, twins, both died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are widely and favorably known in this community, having many warm friends, and in social circles they hold an enviable position. Mr. Smith is independent in politics, voting for the man whom he thinks best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations. He has served as Township Clerk and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. His life has been quietly passed, yet has been one of usefulness, and he is regarded as one of the leading farmers of Hillsdale Township.

William Lewis,

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Upon his father's farm the subject of this notice was reared to manhood, and in the district schools of the neighborhood his education was acquired. He was still under the parental roof at the time of his enlistment in his country's service. On the 25th of February, 1864, he joined the boys in blue of Company B, Seventh Minnesota Infantry, and was mustered in at Rochester, then Ft. Snelling. The troops were ordered to St. Louis, and thence to Tupelo, where occurred his first engagement. He afterward participated in the battles of Nashville and Mobile, and the siege and capture of Spanish Fort, and was in many smaller engagements. He was very fortunate, in that he was never wounded or taken prisoner, and when the war was over and the South had laid down its arms he was honorably discharged, being mustered out at St. Paul on the 16th of August, 1865. Mr. Lewis at once returned to his home in Wi-

Google nona County, and put-chased a farm of eighty acres on section 23, Utica Township, where he lived for seven years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Lewiston, and carried the mail from that place to Enterprise. The two succeeding years of his life were passed in Winona, after which he came to the farm which has since been his home.

Mr. Lewis was married on the 29th of September, 1867, to Miss Rose Nichols, and six children graced their union. Edward, the eldest, died in

1869; Isabel is now the wife of William Mason, a resident of Winona; Ella and Herbert are at home; Lawrence died in 1889; and Harry complete the family. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Dunkard Church. He takes no very prominent part in public affairs, lias never been a politician, but is content to devote his time and energies to his home and business interests. He is energetic, and by good management and well directed efforts has acquired a comfortable competence and become the owner of a valuable farm.

Clarke A. Fuller.

eLARKE A. FULLER, one of the highly respected citizens of Wiscoy Township, living on section 11, has been a resident of Winona County for thirty-four years, and well deserves mention in her history. He was born in Addison County, Vt., on the 20th of June, 1836, and is a son of Thomas and Marinda (Gilmore) Fuller. The father, who was also a native of the Green Mountain State, was of English descent He was married in the state of his nativity, and by this union were born three children: Harriet, who became Mrs. Si)enter, and died in 1858; Clarke A., of this sketch; and Angle, who married John Moon, and died in January, 1890. By occupation the father was a farmer, and followed that business throughout his entire life. His death occurred at his son's house in Winona County, in his seventy-fourth year, and his wife passed away before the close of the Civil War.

In the usual manner of farmer lads Clarke Fuller spent the days of his boyhood and youth. His education was acquired in the district and select schools, which he attended until about nineteen years of age, and in Rochester Academy, of Rochester, Vt. He thus became well informed on all the common, and many of the higher, branches of learning, and by reading in later years he has kept well posted on the affairs of the day. On attaining his majority, he entered upon his business career, and those the West as the scene of his labors. Leaving the Green Mountain State, he traveled by rail, water and team until he had reached Minnesota, when he made a location in Freeborn County, near the city of Freeborn. He took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, but never made his home upon the land, for he had secured a position as engineer and sawyer in a steam-mill, where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he engaged in teaching school for one year. Mr. Fuller then came to Winona County and settled in Wiscoy Township, where he purchased forty acres of land on section- 12. This he

Google still owns, it being a part of his present farm, which now comprises two hundred acres of valuable land. His fields are well tilled, his farm is under a high state of cultivation, and good improvements are there seen. He raises both grain and stock, and his labors bring him a comfortable competence.

Mr. Fuller has been twice married. On the 3d of May, 1860, he was married to Miss Betsy E. Montgomery, and to them was born a daughter, Adelia, now the wife of William Dick, a farmer near Marshland, Wis. Mi-s. Fuller died on the 17th of November, 1866, and the subject of this sketch was again married, October. 8, 1867, his second union being with Mrs. Julia Jenkinson. They have seven children, namely: Frances, wife of Alonzo Kendrick, a farmer i*residing in Wiscoy Township; George and Walter, who aid in the operation of the home farm; Herbert, who is engaged in school teaching; Chauncey, Louis and Johnnie, who are still with their parents. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death.

In his political attlliations Mr. Fuller is a Republican, having supported that party since he attained his majority. He has been three times nominated for the Legislature, but owing to the large Democi*atic majority in the county has never been elected. His nomination, however, shows his high standing in his own party, and the confidence reposed in him by his constituents. He is now serving as Township Clerk, and has held that office altogether for twenty years. With the exception of six years, he has during his entire residence in Winona County served as a member of the Township Board of Supervisors. He was one of the County Commissioners for five years, being first elected to fill a vacancy, at which time he served for two years, after which he was re-elected for a term of three years. He has also been Justice of the Peace for some time. His long continuance in office indicates not only his personal popularity, but also tells of faithful and efiTicient service and of duties promptly performed. Mr. Fuller is a valued citizen, in that he takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and its upbuilding. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is an active worker and leading member in the Congregational Church.

Silas Braley.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona County, Minnesota: containing ... (1895). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.