From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 982-984
 
FRED JULIUS SMITH.  Among the enterprising farmers and representative citizens 
of Walworth county who have been pleased to devote their energies to 
agricultural pursuits in their native community is Fred Julius SMITH, of Lyons 
township, a man widely and favorable known for his intelligence, especially in 
modern farming, and for the wisdom with which he has directed his life, as 
well as the noble purposes and high ideals he has ever had in view and sought 
to impress upon those closely associated with him.  He therefore merits the 
high regard in which he is universally held.
 
Mr. SMITH was born on the farm in section 14, Lyons township, this county, 
February 18, 1867.  He is the son of Fred and Henrietta (VORPAGEL) SMITH.  The 
father came from Schieffelbein, Coslin, Germany, in 1854, when about thirty-
eight years old, two brothers, William and John, having accompanied him.  John 
lived here for some time, but spent the latter part of his life in Minnesota.  
Frederick lived in Brighton township, Racine county, until his death in April 
1910.
 
Fred SMITH came to Burlington and after about two months rented a farm with 
his brother, Frederick, south of Burlington, and they continued farming 
together for two or three years, then Fred moved to Lyons township and bought 
the farm of one hundred and twenty acres on which his son, Fred J., of this 
sketch, was born.  He was married about 1857 to Henrietta VORPAGEL, who was 
born in Pommern, Germany, and was a daughter of Carl and Mary (BUBLIZS) 
VORPAGEL, both of whom lived and died in Germany.  On April 8, 1857, she and 
her five brothers, one of whom was Julius VORPAGEL, now of Lyons, started to 
America, sailing from Hamburg on April 15 and after five weeks, which was 
considered a good voyage in those days, they reached New York, thence came to 
Milwaukee, and on to Burlington; the other brothers were Fred, William and 
August.  She had a sister, Caroline, who married August DUBERSTEIN and in 1863 
came to Walworth county, Wisconsin.
 
Eight children were born to Fred SMITH, Sr., and wife, namely: August died 
when about three years old; Herman F. lives south of Lyons; Annie died when 
about a year old; Emma married Frank HUNSBUSHCHER and lives at Darien; Fred 
J., of this sketch; Paul W. lives in Lake Geneva and is in partnership with 
Charles LOCK in the grocery business; he married Tillie BENT, of that city, 
and they have two children; Ida SMITH died when about a year old; Hulda, who 
married Charles LOCK, of Lake Geneva, mentioned above.
 
The death of Fred SMITH, father of the above named children, occurred in 1896, 
his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1873.
 
Fred J. SMITH, of this sketch, has lived all his life on the home farm.  In 
1889 he was married to Ida RADTKE, a native of Schieffelbein, Germany, and a 
daughter of William and Henrietta (ZETLOW) RADTKE.  She and her sister, Annie, 
who is now the wife of Charles VARPAGEL, came to America in 1882, locating at 
Burlington, Wisconsin, later living at various places in the eastern part of 
Walworth county until her marriage.  William RADTKE still lives near 
Schieffelbein, Germany.  He had been a soldier in the German army in the war 
with Austria-Hungary, and in one great battle his regiment was cut to pieces, 
all killed or wounded except seven, he being one of the seven to come out 
unscathed.  Soon after his marriage he became a telegraph operator on the 
government railroads and a guardian of the road, holding that position over 
twenty-five years, when he retired on a pension.
 
Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. SMITH, namely: Clara, wife of 
Herman F. SCHULZ, a member of Lyons; Hattie, wife of John MADANS, lives in 
Bloomfield township on a farm; Alma, Elsie and Gertrude are at home.  Mr. and 
Mrs. SMITH formerly belonged to St. John's Lutheran church at Burlington.
 
Submitted by Carol