John Smith was born in East Kilbride 10-12-1823 to William and Jean Smith and given the name John meaning "the gracious gift of God." He grew to manhood in Scotland and when 14 yr. made Sir Walter Scott a visit. "Uncle John" as everyone knew him, came to Ontario, Canada, with his parents and assisted to subdue the primeval forest, becoming an expert in woodcraft. In 1856 after the death of his father and brothers, Hugh and Jame, he came to Shellrock, Twp., Freeborn Co., MN. They farmed 160 acres of land, now the homestead of A.J. & Royce Beighley. After Hugh's family and mother and sisters, Janet and Mary, came, they formed a family of pioneers in MN. "The elm, hawthorn, ash, willow and other trees are still standing along the section and on farms nearby and are living testimonies to the industry of John Smith and his brothers. He joined Co. C. 56th MN Infantry in 1862 for 9 months, receiving a medical discharge early in 1863. His sisters, Janet and Mary, had married some years earlier and John lived with his sister, Mrs. Buchanan. After disposing of his MN land, he came to Lake Mills to live with his sister, Mrs. Charles D. Smith in the early 1870s. In 1897 he married Catharine (Foss)Keeble,Barnett. and after her death in 1908, he again became a member of the C.D. Smith home. The funeral was held at the Christian Church, with the Rev. WinterStein in charge and burial in Sunnyside Cemetery. The sermon was based on the last chapter of Revelations, his favorite Bible reading. He had devoted himself to the culture of raising small fruit and with his wife planted the first orchard in that section of the country from seedling apple trees of his raising;however, the first hard winter killed them. He planted the first berry patch in the area and was known as the best horticulurist in the country. He died 3-1-1915.