SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

John Andrew Smith, Page 323

JOHN ANDREW SMITH, a well-known farmer and citizen of the town of Greenbush, resides on section 34, where he has a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres.  He is a pioneer of Sheboygan County, having been a resident here since 1851.  He was born in Orange County, Ind., March 16, 1824, and is a son of John Andrew and Elizabeth (Laule) Smith.  The former was of English origin, and the latter of German descent, both being natives of Tennessee, and pioneers of Southern Indiana, where they passed the remainder of their lives.  The father's death occurred in the spring of 1862, and that of the mother in February, 1881.

    The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education.  In 1846, when twenty-two years of age, and possessed of a spirit for adventure, he resolved to enter the army, war having broken out between the United States and Mexico.  Accordingly, on the 10th of June of that year, having enlisted, he left home.  He was a member of Company B, Eighth Indiana regiment, and served a little more than a year, reaching home on the 17th of June, 1847.  He took part in the famous battle of Buena Vista, under Gen. Zachary Taylor, and was mustered out of the United States service at New Orleans.

    On his return from the Mexican War, he engaged in farming in his native State.  In Lawrence County, in the spring of 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of Hiram and Rebecca Gross, and a native of Lawrence County, Ind.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born six children, as follows:  Martha, the wife of Milton F. Whitney, who resides in the town of Independence, Trempealeau County, Wis.; Florence, who became the wife of Edmund K. Syron, of Greenbush; James I., who wedded Hattie M. Badger, and lives in Minneapolis, Minn.; Almira, who died at the age of eighteen years; Andrew, who is still single, and is a conductor on the Milwaukee & Lake Shore Railway; and Henry N., at home.  Mrs. Smith's death occurred on the 17th of April, 1880, and on the 15th of May, 1881, Mr. Smith married Mary J. Dean, of Greenbush, who was born in that town.  Of this union there are two children, Bertha M. and Elsie A.  Mrs. Smith's parents reside in the town of Plymouth.

    Mr. Smith settled upon his present farm in 1854.  On the breaking out of the Civil War, he again entered the service of his country.  His experience in the Mexican War had given him some knowledge of military matters, and he assisted in raising a company, which was mustered into the service of the United States as Company B, of the Eighth Wisconsin Infantry, the famous "Eagle Regiment."  On the organization of the company he was made First Lieutenant, his command dating from June 1, 1861.  He was discharged at Memphis, Tenn., September 13, 1864.  Lieut. Smith participated in the following battles:  Corinth, Iuka, New Madrid, Island No. 10, Jackson (Miss.) and Farmington.  He also took part in the Red River expedition, and in all subsequent battles and engagements in which his company took part, up to the time of his discharge.  At the battle of Corinth, he was struck by a bullet on the head, which produced a severe scalp wound, and while engaged with his company in the construction of barracks he was severely injured in lifting a log, from which injury he has never recovered.

    Mr. Smith has been a member of H. C. Davidson Post, G. A. R., of Plymouth, but withdrew with the intention of assisting to establish another post, which for certain reasons has not been done.  He is a member of Swift Lodge No. 115, I. O. O. F., at Glenbeulah, of which he was a charter member.  In politics, Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and in religious faith holds membership with the Christian Church.

    Our subject has been identified with the history of this county for forty-two years.  He was a faithful soldier in the war for the preservation of the Union, and is one of the very few remaining veterans who participated in both the Mexican War and the War of the Rebellion.