Bio Box

Born Sept. 20, 1886, to German immigrants who had settled in Price County in northern Wisconsin, Fred Smith was a true son of the Northwoods. When asked later in life if he had been hindered by his inability to read or write, because Smith had received no formal schooling, he replied, “Hell no. I can do things other people can’t do.” That was no exaggeration.

Like many others of his era, Smith’s education came from experience. He went into the wilderness early in life and stayed there, off and on, until his arthritic body forced him to find a more-comfortable lifestyle. During the long, cold winters of his wilderness years, Smith became a logging legend. Known for his great physical strength, he eschewed the use of modern machinery and coaxed his team of horses to fell the virgin northland timber.

Despite Smith’s connection to the wilderness, he was also a family man with a 120-acre homestead. Alta B. May became his wife in 1913 and together they raised six children, born 1914-1925. During the summer months the couple farmed their land – growing Christmas trees to sell locally, raising ginseng for the export market and cultivating an ornamental rock garden. – Kohler Foundation – www.kohlerfoundation.org/preservation/preserved-sites/wisconsin-concrete-park/