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| Joseph Smith, farmer, sec. 4, Chippewa Tp., was born Jan. 14, 1844, in Norway, a son of Ole and Ine Smith. He came to America in 1861, and during the next two years was a sailor on the lakes, from Buffalo to Chicago. His next employment was at Grand Haven, where he worked in the lumber woods one winter, coming thence to Big Rapids and engaging in the lumber camps. In the fall of 1867 he homesteaded the farm on which he now resides, containing 80 acres, 35 of which he has place under fair cultivation. Mr. Smith was married in 1870, to Lucy daughter of Hibbard and Lucy (Pease) Preston. She was born Nov. 27, 1852 in Tioga Co., N.Y. Of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, five are living: Lucy A., Minnie I., Jennie M., Olson K., and William G. One daughter Ella J. is deceased. In politics Mr. Smith is a Republican. |