This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RMunns7272 Surnames: Smith, Merrill, Benedict, Francis, Wilson, Burgess, Langworthy, Blair Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.lacrosse/2331/mb.ashx Message Board Post: >From "History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin", 1881, p. 796. City of La Crosse WILLIAM H. SMITH, proprietor of Smith & Merrill's foundry; was born in Stafford, Tolland Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1824; moved with his parents to Syracuse, N. Y., in 1830; here he spent his boyhood days attending the common schools and the academy at Onondaga. In 1843, he removed to Wisconsin, locating at Kenosha, where he worked in the foundry business for Benedict & Francis; in 1845, he removed to Racine and worked in a foundry for Wilson & Burgess, making the first casting that was ever made in Racine; he then removed to Milwaukee and worked there in a foundry for A. J. Langworthy. In 1848, he removed again; this time to Waukesha, where he again worked in a foundry, remaining here about four years; in 1852, he went to Portage and went into partnership with a Mr. Blair in the foundry business, under the firm name of Smith & Blair; he remained here until 1861, when he removed to La Crosse and entered as a partner into his present business, of which he has since acquired the sole! proprietorship. [I am not related to this family and have no further information. I'm posting this as a service and hope it helps!] Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.