Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/781

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNT! 679 James E. Smith, a retired ranch owner, now living in Red Wing, is descended from the old New England stock, his family Jwiving been prominent in and about Hudson, N. H., since the days of the early settlement. He was born in that town, October 28, 1839, son of Jefferson and Sarah (Gibson) Smith, the former of whom died in Red Wing, in May, 1883, and the latter at Hud- son, N. H. James E. attended the district schools of the Granite state, and worked on the farm of his father, securing vigor of mind and body, as well as thorough training in agricultural pur- suits. He arrived in Red Wing in 1860, and in 1862 purchased, in company with his brother, 320 acres in the township of Good- hue, this county. This land he broke and improved, built a home and carried on general farming. In 1875, after disposing of the farm, he turned his attention toward South Dakota, where in 1878 he, in company with his brother as before, purchased over 1,400 acres, and conducted a cattle and horse ranch, upon which they also raised grain in large quantities. In 1895 Mr. Smith, after the ranch had been disposed of, returned to Red Wing and remained until 1897, when the family moved to Minneapolis, in order that the younger son, Paul, might attend the state university and still live at home. After six years' residence in that city, they returned to Red AYing, where they have since made their home. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Pres- byterian Church. He also belongs to the A. E. Welch Post, No. 75, G. A. R., having joined Company I, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, at Red Wing, mustered in at Fort Snelling, February 16, 1865. The company was placed on garrison duty in Tennessee, Mr. Smith being the bugler. He received his honorable discharge September 27, 1865. James E. Smith was married October 30, 1871, at Red Wing, to Margaret S. Densmore, daughter of Judge Orrin and Elizabeth (Fowle) Densmore, who came to Red Wing in May, 1857. Mr. Densmore was a prominent man of the early days. He was county auditor many years, also assistant superin- tendent of schools and judge of probate. During his early days here he was engaged in the lumbering business, the firm name being Densmore and McLaren. Judge Densmore died June 3, 1879, and his wife, January 21, 1891. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two sons. Gilman W., born December 1, 1859, is now at the head of the erecting department of the American Bridge Com- pany, of Chicago. He married Addie A. Tidd, and has one son, Donald Tidd Smith. Paul Sherburne, the second son of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Smith, was born March 31, 1879, graduated from the state university and resides with his parents. George E. Smith is another of the progressive men of Red Wing who have lived here practically their entire life, and have assisted in its development. 'He was born in this city, August 14,