Hon. Charles Smith
Surnames: Haw, Marston
Regions: Salisbury, Herkimer Co., NY; Superior, Douglas Co., WI
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the
Upper Lake Region;
Containing Biographical Sketches
of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many
of the Settled Families;
Illustrated; J.H. Beers & Co. Chicago 1905;
Page 6
Hon. Charles Smith, Judge of the Superior Court of Douglas County, Wis., and one of the most respected and influential citizens of Superior and vicinity, is a native of Hampton, N.H. His parents, Robert and Hannah (Marston) Smith, were both of English descent, and the former was a well-to-do New England farmer.
Judge Smith passed his boyhood days at Salisbury, Herkimer Co., NY where he attended the common schools, and there laid the foundation for the superior education he has long since acquired. From the public schools he passed to Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., where for two years he pursued a classical course. Failing health compelled him to leave school and to seek a change of climate.
Coming West, he located at Prescott, Wis., where he studied law with J.S. White, and was admitted to the Bar in 1869, practicing there and at River Falls, Wis. In 1870 and 1871 he was county superintendent of Pierce County, Wis. It was not until 1890 that he came to Superior, where he rapidly rose to the front rank of the legal profession. He became a member of the law firm of Ross, Dwyer & Smith, one of the foremost in this section of the State. In the spring of 1893 he was selected first Judge of the Superior Court for Douglas County, and has ever since filled that position with great credit not only to himself, but to the profession he so adorns. His judgment and integrity are unquestioned by the citizens who have learned to know his keen sense of justice and his great love of truth. His superior intellect and vast fund of general information early won the respect of his associates at the Bar, and this respect soon developed into honest esteem as the noble inherent characteristics as the man became known. His manner is simple and unaffected, and he goes his way meeting each duty as it comes, and giving to his work careful study, applying his wisdom and learning to the needs of his fellowmen. In political affiliation he may be said to be an independent Republican. He is a close student of questions of the day, and ably speaks and writes in discussion of the same. His address upon the death of President McKinley will be long remembered by the large assemblage privileged to hear it.
On Sept. 18, 1878, Judge Smith was married to Miss Mary Haw, of Hudson, Wis., a woman who has every excellence of intellect and heart.