Milo Smith

From Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ. 1889 - pages 665-666

MILO SMITH is numbered among the honored pioneers of Rock County, and his beautiful home, situated on section 15, Milton Township, indicates him to be a man of energetic disposition and industrious habits. He was born in Chautauqua County, N.Y., March 13, 1819, and is a son of James and Olive (WIGGINS) SMITH, the former a native of Worcester County, Mass., and the latter of Chautauqua County, N.Y. The family is of English ancestry, the great-grandfather of our subject having emigrated from England to America during the early colonial days, and settling in Salem, Mass. James SMITH was a farmer by occupation. His death occurred in 1831, when Milo was but twelve years of age, and Mrs. SMITH was again married, becoming the wife of Jeremiah COWDEN. Her death occurred in 1882, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years, and both passed to their long rest in Chautauqua County. The family to which our subject belonged numbered seven children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood with the exception of the first-born, who died in infancy; Milo is the second in order of birth; Paul died of consumption in Chautauqua County, in 1867; Philetta, widow of John RAPPOLLE, is living on the old homestead; Alice, widow of Jonathan MAXON, is a resident of Osage County, Kan.; Catherine A., widow of George RAPPOLD, makes her home in Jamestown, N.Y.; and Luke died in Chicago, in 1865. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. COWDEN were: Jerome, who enlisted in the service of his country, and died in the prison at Salisbury, N.C.; Alonzo, who died in infancy; and Robert I., who also served in the late war, and for six months was a prisoner, is now living in Chautauqua County, N.Y. The education of our subject was received in his native State and throughout his life he has made farming his principal occupation. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent under the parental roof, until he was eighteen years of age, when, in 1837, he went to Genesee county, where he made his home with an uncle for three years, attending school during that time. Going to Rome, N.Y., he spent his summer months in farm labor, and engaged in teaching school during the winter season, until, with a view of bettering his financial condition, he resolved to try his fortune in the West and came to the Territory of Wisconsin. He first located in what is now the town of Milton, Rock County, where he purchased 160 acres of land on section 15, the purchase price being twenty shillings per acre. He made a partial payment, leaving $100 yet due, and at once began work, in order to secure the means with which to clear his farm from all indebtedness, which in the course of time he accomplished. He worked at various occupations by the month, receiving from $10 to $12 as a compensation for his services. For some time he was engaged in the pineries of northern Wisconsin, and received his pay in lumber, which he was forced to raft down the river and sell before realizing any profit. It was thus sometimes a year before he really received his earnings, which at the best were very small. In 1848 he began breaking the land which he had previously purchased, and in 1851 erected a log cabin. That being done, he decided to rent his farm, which he leased until 1854. In that year, Mr. SMITH was married to Miss Elizabeth P. TOURTELOTTE, the wedding being celebrated on the 7th day of March. The lady is a daughter of Amos C. and Elizabeth (HERVEY) TOURTELOTTE, both of whom are natives of the Bay State, but the father was of French descent, and the mother of English origin. In 1853 they came with their family to Rock County, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1858, and the mother passing to her final rest Jan. 3, 1862. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. SMITH they became the parents of seven children, as follows: James Milo, who was born Feb. 9, 1855, and is now engaged in farming in Seward County, Kan.; Jessie L., born Jan. 19, 1857, is the wife of John MARQUART, a resident farmer of the town of Milton; Clara E., born Sept. 16, 1858, wedded Josiah AULD, and they now reside in the town of La Prairie; H. Fremont, born Aug. 10, 1862, married Miss Nellie SERNS, and is engaged in operating the old home farm; Olive E., born Oct. 11, 1867, died on the 27th day of September, 1869; Carroll L., born Aug. 4, 1871, is at home; Lynn T., born Aug. 13, 1874, is also with his parents. The children have all received good educational advantages, thereby fitting them for useful positions in life, and are now respected men and women who do honor to the family name. For the long period of upward of forty-six years Milo SMITH has been a resident of Rock County. When he first came to the Territory of Wisconsin, the land was almost entirely uncultivated, the greater portion of it being still in possession of the Government; the red men were yet frequent visitors in the settlement, and the nearest neighbors were often miles away. The markets were at Milwaukee and Chicago, and oxen were used in making the trips to those places. Even the most far-sighted would scarcely have dreamed, much less realized the important changes which were soon to take place and transform the community from a wild and unsettled region into a county which has no superior and few equals in this great commonwealth. To the noble band of pioneer men and women, who left the East with its comforts and luxuries to make for themselves and families homes on the western frontier, a debt of gratitude is due which can never be repaid, and among that brave band is numbered our subject and his estimable wife. Mr. SMITH has devoted much time and attention to the promotion of public enterprises, and has filled various township offices of trust. In early life he cast his ballot with the Whig party, but since its formation has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and is a great admirer of Gen. Benjamin Harrison, our present Executive, with whom he had the pleasure of shaking hands, making a visit to Indiana in 1888, especially for the purpose. Socially, he holds membership in the I.O.O. F., his wife being a member of the Rebecca Degree, and both are prominently identified with the patrons of husbandry. Mrs. SMITH is greatly interested in the temperance cause, being a member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and Equal Suffrage Association of Wisconsin, and her efforts in both lines of work have been productive of much good. The home of Mr. and Mrs. SMITH is one of the most beautiful in the community. The commodious residence is surrounded by many shade and ornamental trees, and before the house are many beds of lovely flowers, filling the air with their fragrance and delighting the eye of the beholder, that are tenderly cared for by Mrs. SMITH. Cordial and genial in manner, hospitable and entertaining, this worthy couple have a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and are held in the highest regard by all. We are pleased to present their portraits to the readers of this work.

Submitted By Carol