SMITH, Chester W.
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 445-446

Chester W. SMITH, principal of the Kilbourn [Columbia County, WI] high 
school, and one of the most prominent educators of central WI, is a native of 
this state, born in Nepeuskun Township, Winnebago County [WI], 24 Apr 1857, 
and is the oldest son of William C. and Sarah (FOOTE) SMITH, who, in 1848, 
were the first couple married in that township. His paternal grandfather was 
William C. SMITH, Sr., of Genesse [Monroe County], NY, and his maternal 
grandfather was Percival FOOTE, a cousin of Solomon FOOTE, U. S. Senator from 
NH and a contemporary of Daniel Webster. The FOOTE family can trace their 
ancestry back to one bearing that name who defended King Charles I of 
England. They possessed a coat of arms.

During his boyhood our subject attended school in Omro [Winnebago County], 
WI, where he pursued his studies under the direction of Professor O. T. 
BRIGHT, now superintendent of public schools for Cook County, IL. He 
afterward graduated from the Berlin [Green Lake County, WI] high school, and 
now holds a life state certificate as a teacher. At the age of 18 he [p 446] 
taught for one year in the district schools of Winnebago County, and after 
graduating from the Berlin high school, he taught in that city for two years. 
In 1876 he went to Winneconne [Winnebago County, WI] as principal of the 
schools of that place, and remained for 11 years. He then established the 
"Winneconne Enterprise," which he edited for one year, and afterward bought 
the "Omro Stalwart," of Omro, WI, which he conducted for the same length of 
time. The following year he again taught in Winneconne, and in 1891 accepted 
the position of principal of the Kilbourn city high school, which he has 
since so creditably and acceptably filled. In 1898 he was placed on the 
force of state institute conductors, and has met with most excellent success 
as a teacher and conductor of summer schools. Mr. SMITH is an artist of 
considerable ability, and while engaged in newspaper work he illustrated his 
own journals, his engraving attracting much favorable comment. He is a 
member of the Good Templars Society, and is a great temperance worker, having 
delivered many lectures on that subject. Religiously he is a prominent 
member of the Presbyterian church, of Kilbourn City [Columbia County, WI], 
and politically is identified with the Republican party.

On 30 Jun 1878 Mr. SMITH as united in marriage with Miss Clara L. DAGGETT, 
who was born in Attleboro [Bristol County], MA, 08 Jan 1851, a daughter of 
Pliny and Annie DAGGETT. Her uncle, John DAGGETT, was chairman of the 
Republican state central committee of MA for many years. She was educated in 
the high school of Avoca [Iowa County], WI, and the academy of Attleboro, MA, 
and in 1874 commenced teaching in the public schools of Berlin [Green Lake 
County], WI. She successfully followed that profession at different places 
for ten years.

Mr. and Mrs. SMITH have four children: (1) Ella R., born 06 Apr 1880, is an 
accomplished musician who is now teaching in Downer College, at Milwaukee, 
WI. She studied one year at Oshkosh, under the direction of Dunning P. JONES 
and Mrs. R. H. EDWARD, and at Milwaukee, under the instruction of Julius 
KLAUSER. (2) Grace, born 07 Jul 1882, has taught for one year in the public 
schools of Adams County, after having graduated from the Kilbourn high 
school, and is now attending the Milwaukee Normal, where she will graduate at 
the end of the present school year. (3) Russell L., born 22 Mar 1884, is 
also a graduate of the Kilbourn City high school, and is now bookkeeper in 
the store of A. C. DIXON & Sons, of that place. (4) Keith D., born 16 May 
1892, is still attending school in Kilbourn City.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly