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Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 323 - 324
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 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 then 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, 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 never recovered.
Mr. Smith had 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.
Copyright 1997 - 2009 by Debie Blindauer
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