The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-12-25
Late Joseph Smith Who Died at Le
Sueur Center.
Served in The Conflict With Mexico
i'm 1845.
He Was Among the 'forty-Niners' in
California.
His Was an Honorable Career---Wss
Much Respected.
From Fridays Daily.

Long, active and useful has ben the
career of the late Joseph Smith, ST., of
lie Sueur Center, an announcement of
whose death was published in last nights
Free Press. He was a veteran of two
wars, and man who had ever taken
keen interest in all matters concerning
the common welfare. Ever on the alert,
wide awake, apprehensive, he if anybody
knew what was occurring and was ever
eager to be not merely a spectator but
an actor in the drama of public life.
Joseph Smith was born in Blanken-
helm, Germany, Aug. 8, 1926. At the
age of twenty years he emigrated to
America, arriving at New York in the
spring of 1916. He then journeyed west
ward and located in Wisconsin. In the
following year he enlisted for service in
the Mexican war, and was enrolled in the
Fifteenth Wisconsin Volunteers. After
serving eighteen months in this infantry
regiment he obtained his discharge. He
then returned to Wisconsin. In 1858 he
joined the army of gold seekers who were
foclling to California and with a COM
pany of twenty went by the wagon route
over the western plains and mountains
to the famous gold fields. He engaged
in mining and followed this occupation
for two years with fair success. His
earnings, however, were by no means
what he had hoped they would be and in
1855 he came to the conclusion that he
could do better by going back eastward
He now left California and settled at
Dubuque, Iowa. Here he became ac-
quainted with Mrs. Margaret Dahlheim,
whom he married the same year. Soon
after their marriage they came to Min
nesota and located on a farm, in Kill
kenny township, LIE Sueur county. In
1864 he decided once more to WELD a
musket in the defense of his adopted
country and enlisted in Company | of
the Second Minnesota Regiment. He
was honorably discharged at Louisville,
KY, July IL, 1865. His wife died in 1888
and he then made his home with his son,
Joseph, with whom he lived continuous
ly afterwards. Three years ago the faith
er and son came to the village of LIE
Sueur Center, and not long afterwards
the father was elected sheriff of LIE Sueur
county.
The deceased had always enjoyed good
health almost up to the time of his death
and seldom had occasion to call physi
clan. Death when it finally came, came
suddenly and almost without warning.
A slight scratch on the hand of the aged
man caused blood poisoning which soon
resulted in his death. He was seventy
seven years old.
Ten children, all grown, survive their
father: Lena, now Mrs. John McLaugh-
lin, of Waterville; Mary A., wife of j.
B. Leonard of Granite, Oklahoma; Eliza
beth, wife of William Minaly, residing
at Boise City, Idaho; Maggie, now Mrs.
James Novacek of LIE Sueur Center;
Nicholas of Minneapolis; Peter, Frank
and George of Washington; John of Eu-
reka, S. D.; and Joseph of lie Sueur
Center
The deceased was brother to Mrs.
John A. Arnold and Mrs. Frank jacob
of Mankato; and uncle to Miss Lena Ar
mold and Mrs f. E. Hidde, both of Man
kato, and to Mrs. Jacob Schauss of
North Mankato.
Last Sunday the funeral services were
held at the Catholic church in Kilkenny,
under the management of Rev. Father
McAvey Prominent among the many
floral tributes was the remembrance sent
by the detective department of Mime
apolis, of which his son, Nicholas, is a
member.