In all the relations of life Alfred D. Smith, one of the successful agriculturists of Walworth county, has been true to every trust reposed in him, and because of his past honorable record, his public spirit, his genial disposition and his honesty of purpose he is held in high esteem by all who know him. He has had the good fortune to spend his life on the old home place, being content with the environments “into which he was born, and in this he has shown a wise discretion, for in the first place all will agree that “home is best,” as a great writer long ago said ; then, too, it would be hard to find a more favored locality for the exercise of the husbandman’s talent than in this locality, where nature always does her part, meeting the laborer more than half way: So Mr. Smith could have found no real excuse for hying to other climes and remote scenes in order to find a suitable locality in which to exercise his talents. Judging from the success he has achieved on the home place which he is managing so tactfully, he has been wise in remaining here.
Mr. Smith was born in Lafayette township, this county, on December 24. 1855. He is the son of D. Y. and Caroline (Clark) Smith, both natives of Otsego county. New York, the father born in 1816 and the mother in 1820, and there they grew up and received such education as the early schools afforded and there they were married, emigrating to Walworth county, Wisconsin, in 1839, and took up one hundred and sixty acres of land where Alfred D. Smith of this review is still living. Here they began life as true pioneers,
clearing the land, building a rude house and undergoing the usual hard-, ships, and, through economy and hard work, they had a good home and a fertile farm in due course of time, and here they spent the rest of their lives, the father dying in 1899 and the mother in 1889. Politically, he was a Republican, and he took an interest in the affairs of his county, assisting in any way lie could in its development. His family consisted of seven children, of whom five are living.
Alfred D. Smith, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where he worked during the summer months when a boy, attending the district schools w the winter-time, and early in life he decided to make farming his vocation. He purchased the homestead in 1900 and here he has engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of dairying, keeping an excellent grade of Jersey cattle. He has kept the place well improved and very carefully tilled.
Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican, but has not been specially active in public matters and has never sought office, though he has served his district as school director. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias, Mystic Workers and the Equitable Fraternal Union, in all of which he takes considerable interest and stands high.
Mr. Smith was married in 1879 to Clarabel West, who was born in Lafayette township, this county, grew to womanhood and was educated here. She is the daughter of Jesse Pike West and Elizabeth (Northrup) West. who were among the first settlers of Walworth county and a well known and highly respected family here. Mrs. Smith’s parents are now both deceased. One child, Clarabel, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith. She is the wife of Robert W. Knapp, and they have one child, Roberta.
The subject’s first wife was called to her rest in 1885, and in 1887 he was united in marriage with Lavina Hicks, daughter of Thomas and Lavina Hicks, both born in England and early settlers of Walworth county and an excellent family, prominent here since the pioneer days. Mrs. Smith’s parents are now both deceased. Four children were born to the subject and his last wife, named as follows: Kenneth. Lucius. Harlin and Carol.
From: Beckwith, A.C. (1912). History of Walworth County Wisconsin