Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 879 - 880

NICHOLAS C. SMITH is one of the early settlers of Ninnescah Township, where he owns a large farm and is extensively engaged in stock-raising. He is a native of Denmark, and was born Aug. 22, 1842. His parents, who were also natives of that country, were John H. and Anne C. (Brunn) Smith. He was an only son, and his parents gave him every possible advantage that his native land afforded to acquire a substantial education; he became especially proficient as a linguist, learning to read and speak with equal facility his native tongue (the Danish), English, French and German. He was reared to man's estate in the home of his birth.

            In the spring of 1863, an eager desire to see more of the world and to gain a broader experience, caused Mr. Smith to take passage in a sailing-vessel at Hamburg for the United States of America. After a long ocean voyage of six weeks, he landed in New York City, whence he went in a short time to Connecticut, where he remained about nine months. From there he went to Chicago, Ill., where he enlisted, in June, 1864, in Company I, 132d Illinois Infantry, and went to the front to assist in the preservation of the Union. He did guard duty for a short time at Columbus, Tenn., and was then dispatched to Paducah, Ky., where he performed the same service, and from there was sent back to Chicago, where he was honorably discharged in October, 1864, having served his adopted country with fidelity during the term of his enlistment. Very soon after, on the 1st of November, he again entered the service of the Government, and was employed in unloading cars at Chattanooga, Tenn., the following six months.

            After the close of the war our subject spent the summer of 1865 in Menominee, Mich., and from there returned once more to Chicago. Afterward he again went to Michigan and took up his residence in Muskegon, where he continued to live for some years. Attracted by the favorable reports of the fine climate of Kansas, and of its fertile soil, capable of producing every variety of vegetation known to the temperate zone, he came to Sedgwick County in the fall of 1873. He did not at first settle in any particular town, but took time to look around him and decide upon a location which should seem to him most desirable in all respects. He was pleased with the situation of Ninnescah Township, and in the spring of 1874, pre-empting the southeast quarter of section 7, immediately settled on it, and commenced its improvement. Then began for him those years of toil in which, by dint of energy and shrewd management, he has succeeded in bringing his land from its primitive state to its present high culture, wherein it may be considered one of the finest farms in Ninnescah Township. He has greatly increased its area, until now it comprises 320 acres of land, all situated in this township. He pays particular attention to stock-raising, owning quite a herd of fine, well-kept cattle, and has made this business exceedingly profitable.

            Our subject is practically a self-made man; he is well endowed mentally, and by his own physical exertions has made his life a success. He is a clear, intelligent thinker, a great lover of good literature, and keeps himself well informed on the current topics of the day. Although Mr. Smith is of foreign birth, we have no more loyal citizen, or one who would more readily defend the institutions of this country, if they were menaced by an alien foe. In politics he is deeply in sympathy with the Republican party. He is public spirited, and a great promoter of all schemes to advance the material interests of the township and county, or to elevate society.

            A view of Mr. Smith's residence is shown on another page of this volume.

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