From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton 
Beckwith, publ. 1912 - Pages 616 - 618
 
ALFRED JOHN SMITH.  Although England has not sent so many of her people to 
Walworth county as many of the other nations of Europe, yet those who have 
honored us with their citizenship have become conspicuous in view of the fact 
that they have been enterprising and progressive, valued citizens in every 
respect, having, while advancing their individual interests, not been 
neglectful of the general good.  Of this worthy band the name of Alfred John 
SMITH, of Lake Geneva, the able foreman of Ceylon Court, is deserving of 
especial mention in a volume of the nature of the one at hand.
 
Mr. SMITH was born in London, England, March 28, 1866, and there he spent his 
boyhood and attended the common schools.  He is the son of James J. and Emily 
(O'NEIL) SMITH.  He continued to reside in his native city until he was about 
seventeen years old.  In September 1883, he emigrated to the United States, 
and spent some time in various places in the southern states, finally coming 
to Chicago in 1891, where he secured a position as assistant in a greenhouse, 
which he retained for a period of six years, giving entire satisfaction.  In 
his native land he had mastered the ins and outs of gardening, having spent 
the time from the age of ten years to the time of his emigration to America 
engaged in that line of work, taking up the various branches of horticulture, 
and in Chicago he gained still further experience, until he is now a master of 
his line.  He is a deep student as well as a keen observer and has kept well 
informed on the progress of horticulture and general gardening, especially as 
affecting this country and latitude.
 
In June 1903, Mr. SMITH came to Ceylon Court, Lake Geneva, as head gardener, 
and he has since had full charge of the grounds, greenhouses and gardens, one 
of the "show places" of the county, a complete description of which is to be 
found on another page of this work.  But those who have seen Ceylon Court know 
the inadequacy of mere words to describe its beauty and need not be reminded 
of Mr. SMITH's taste and knowledge in such work and of his faithfulness to the 
same.
 
Mr. SMITH is a member of the Gardeners and Foremen's Association of Lake 
Geneva, which is composed of the men who look after this line of work for the 
fine homes about the lakes here.  Mr. SMITH is now serving his fourth term as 
president of the association, which has recently erected a large and 
attractive building on Broad street, Lake Geneva.  The pronounced success of 
this important organization has been due very largely to his efforts.  He is 
also a life member of the Wisconsin State Horticultural Society, of which he 
was vice-president for two years, discharging the duties of this office in a 
manner that won the hearty commendation of all concerned.
 
Mr. SMITH was married in 1899 to Hannah BRENNAN, of county Mayo, Ireland, and 
to this union one daughter, Hannah, was born, her birth occurring in January 
1900, at which time the mother died, and in August, 1905, Mr. SMITH was again 
married, his last wife having been known in her maidenhood as Martha SOBBE, 
daughter of Joseph and Mary SOBBE.  She was born, reared and educated at lake 
Geneva.  Mr. and Mrs. SMITH are both members of the Catholic church and he is 
also a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and Knights of Columbus.
 
Mr. SMITH is a busy man, with a business way of doing things yet finds time to 
give attention to the sociable side of his nature, and he is known as a frank, 
just and obliging gentleman, and an authority on all horticultural subjects.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)