Wisconsin History Day By Day

Related Web Sites:

Read More About It

"Wisconsin Blue Book" 1960

"Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography"

Vocabulary:

speaker of the house

philanthropic

Interesting Fact:

Smith, along with Judson Roundy and Sidney Hauzhurst, opened the wholesale grocery business under the name of Smith, Roundy & Co. The company still exists today but goes by the name of Roundy's, Inc.

Study Questions:

What were the major achievements of William Smith while he was governor of Wisconsin?

What philanthropic causes did Smith focus on in Milwaukee?

Who was the first governor born in Wisconsin?

U.S. historical events that occurred on June 18:

1983: Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space.

1812: The United States declares war on Britain.

June 18

Wisconsin's Governors
June 18, 1824: William E. Smith, the 14th governor of Wisconsin, was born on June 18, 1824 in Scotland. He came to America with his family in 1835 where they settled in Michigan. In 1849 Smith moved to Fox Lake to start a business. Within a few months he was elected to the state Legislature. He became state treasurer in 1865 and was speaker of the house in 1871. He was elected to two terms as governor, beginning in 1877. After his political life, Smith moved to Milwaukee where he was known for his educational and philanthropic causes. Died: February 13, 1883.

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