Peter Smith
Surnames: Chamberlain, Frazier
Regions: Johnstown, Montgomery Co., N.Y; Shopiere, Rock Co., WI
From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis., publ, 1889 - page 406
PETER SMITH, deceased, was among the pioneer settlers of Rock County, becoming a resident in 1842. He was born in Johnstown, Montgomery Co., N.Y., June 26, 1808, and was the son of Hon. Peter and Elizabeth (FRAZIER) SMITH. The days of his boyhood and youth were passed in his native county, where he received a liberal education. He began his business career when fourteen years of age, going to Albany, N.Y., where he was employed in an exchange office. After continuing in business in the Empire State for a number of years, in 1842 he left his home for the new State of Wisconsin, and settling in Shopiere, embarked in the mercantile business in 1843, continuing in that line for three years.
In 1844 our subject led to the marriage altar Miss Julia A. CHAMBERLAIN, and to them was born one child, a daughter, who was named for her mother. Shortly after his marriage he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and purchasing land in the town of La Prairie, there carried on farming until his death, which occurred in the month of December, 1862. He was a man who stood high in the community where he resided, and was a stanch supporter of the principles advocated by Jackson and Douglas. He possessed a studious nature and was well informed on all the leading issues of the day, both political and otherwise. Public-spirited and progressive, he proved a valued citizen, and his death was sincerely mourned by all. Mrs. SMITH is still living and resides at her pleasant home in Clinton to which she removed in 1875, though she still retains possession of the farm of eighty acres in La Prairie Township.