- COL. JESSE SMITH, an honored citizen and pioneer merchant
of Rock County, was born in
- Thompson, Conn., July 5, 1784, and was the son of Enos and
Keziah SMITH. His father was born in Connecticut, March 4, 1738,
and the mother in the same State on the 13th day of June, 1745.
Her death occurred March 28, 1830. Both were descended from
English Puritan ancestors. Our subject was reared on a farm,
and was married in 1812 to Miss Betsy WILLMARTH, of Berkshire,
Mass.
- Soon after his marriage Mr. SMITH engaged in merchandising
at Philadelphia, Jefferson Co.,
- N.Y., where his wife died in 1839, leaving six children to
mourn her loss. Marcia, the eldest, was the wife of Timothy
JACKMAN, a prominent business man of Janesville; her death occurred
Nov. 23d, 1888. The next eldest was Shubael W., who was a leading
business man and banker of Janesville. His death occurred May
3d, 1884. Hezekiah married Amy GIFFORD, and died in 1882. Abbie
A., remained single, and died at the age of sixty years. Hannah
died when twenty-two years of age; and Caroline, the youngest,
died when she had reached the same age. Mr. SMITH was married
again on the 2d day of February, 1841, at Newport, Herkimer Co.,
N.Y., to Miss Mary Caroline BROOKS, daughter of Dr. John and
Nancy (REDDINGTON) BROOKS; the father was born in Worcester,
Mass., but resided for forty years at Bernardston, Franklin County,
of that State, where he was successfully engaged in the practice
of his profession. Mrs. BROOKS was born in Lunenburg, Mass.,
and was descended from an old New England family. Mrs. SMITH
was born at New Fane, Windom Co., Vt., on the 6th day of March,
1808, was liberally educated, and at the age of sixteen years
engaged in teaching school, and pursued that vocation for seventeen
years. In 1839 she ventured out to Newport, Jefferson Co., N.Y.,
against the wishes of her friends and engaged in teaching; there
she met Mr. Jesse SMITH, and in 1841 became his wife, proving
to be a worthy and loving helpmate through the thirty-two years
of their wedded life. She survived her husband and while now
past four-score years of age, is in the full enjoyment of her
mental faculties, entertaining in conversation, and warmly esteemed
by all who know her. Three children were born of her marriage
to Mr. SMITH, one son and two daughters. The son, Stanley Brooks
SMITH was born at Philadelphia, N.Y., on the 4th day of October,
1843, and received his education at private schools, was married
to Miss Martha M. LOGAN, of Greensburg, Pa., and is the present
cashier of the Rock County National Bank. Frances Elizabeth,
the eldest daughter, was born Sept. 11, 1845, is the wife of
Thomas ALSOP, and lives in Brooklyn, Green Co., Wis. Mary Catherine,
the youngest, was born Dec. 22, 1847, and is the wife of Warren
L. RICHARDSON, of Eldorado, Kan.
- In 1846 Col. SMITH and family removed to Wisconsin and settled
in the town of Union, Rock
- County, where he was engaged in merchandising until his death,
which occurred Feb. 27, 1873. Mr. SMITH received the title of
Colonel, while a resident of New York, where he had taken a warm
interest in military matters, and was commissioned Colonel of
Militia. Col. SMITH was a Whig in early life, and on the breaking
up of that party he joined the Republican party, then in its
infancy, and was ever afterward a consistent member of that organization.
He was never in any sense a politician, or a seeker after office,
but devoted his attention to business pursuits, exclusively.
He was upright and honorable in all the relations of life and
was highly respected for his many excellencies of character.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 770-771.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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