Lue E. Smith, 1864

Posted4U@Charter.net on Sat, 17 Feb 2001

Surname: SMITH, HOUSLETT, BUNDY, MORGAN

Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge

LUE E. SMITH, a progressive citizen of York Township, where he is cultivating a good farm, was born at Westfield, Marquette County, Wis., April 28, 1864. The scene of his birth was a log house on the farm of his parents, John and Mary (Houslett) Smith. The father, John, was born near Dublin, Ireland, and his wife in Luxemburg, Germany; they were married in Waukesha County, Wis. John was but 2 years old when he was brought to the United States by his parents, the voyage being made in a sailing vessel. Two days after they landed in New York he died from cholera, a disease that frequently occurred on emigrant vessels, owing to unsanitary conditions. The rest of the family came on to Wisconsin, where John grew to manhood.

His wife Mary, came to America with her parents, Peter and Barbara Houslett, and they were three months in making the trip, suffering shipwreck on the voyage. She was 14 years old at the time, and with her family also located in Waukesha County, Wis. After their marriage, John and Mary settled in Marquette County, on wild Indian land, beginning the arduous labor of clearing a tract without implements or stock. In time John Smith became the owner of 280 acres of land, with good buildings. He was several times chairman of his township, which he also served as treasurer, and was a member of the school board for twenty years, being one of the most prominent men of that locality. He died at the age of 78 and his wife at that of 74.

They raised a family of nine children, all of whom are now living. Lue E. Smith, in his early years, attended the district school, and acquired a practical knowledge of farming on the parental homestead. At the age of 19 he struck out for himself, going to the Dakotas, where he worked on farms for three years. He then returned to Wisconsin, locating at Packwaukee, Marquette County, where he was section foreman for the Wisconsin Central Railroad for twelve years. In 1902 he came to Clark County and purchased his present farm in section 25, York Township. It then consisted of eighty acres of wild land. There was a road to the place from Granton, but it did not extend any farther than his property. There being some old log buildings on the place, he moved into one of them with his wife and their three children, Marian, Francis and Edgar.

He had been married in Packwaukee to Mary Bundy, a teacher in the schools of Marquette County, Wis., daughter of Squire Bundy, formerly of New York State. Mr. Bundy was a soldier of the Civil War. He enlisted for service in the Heavy Artillery and served until discharged on account of ill health. Her mother, Mrs. Olive (Bundy) Morgan, also a teacher, was a native of Canada, and the family were pioneers of Marquette County, where Mr. Bundy cleared a farm. Mr. Smith had a little money saved when he came to Clark County and was soon able to supply his farm with some graded stock, both of cattle and horses and Chester-White hogs. With such a good start he made fairly rapid progress and now has his farm of 110 acres, having purchased more land, cleared and in a fine state of cultivation. He has built a nine-room house and a basement barn, 36 by 52 feet, also an additional barn, 26 by 50 feet in size. In addition to the three children above mentioned, he and his wife have had three more, born on this farm, Maude, Cedric and Winifred. His present prosperity has been well-earned and he and his family occupy a respected place in the community.