From History of Walworth County Wisconsin by Albert Clayton Beckwith, Vol. II, 
Publ. 1912 - Page 829-830
 
ADAM SMOK.  One of the successful farmers of Sharon township, Walworth county, 
Wisconsin, who has worked hard for that which he now possess, and knows how to 
appreciate the true dignity of labor and to place a correct estimate upon the 
value of money is Adam SMOK, who, although born under alien skies and reared 
to customs other than ours and taught to revere a flag different from our 
vaunted stars and stripes, nevertheless is loyal to our institutions and, in 
fact, is, after all, about as much of an American as any of us.  Walworth 
county has indeed been fortunate in securing such a large number of men of his 
nationality and type, for they have certainly done much for this locality.  
But this has not been a one-sided affair, for we have offered them great 
inducements to come and till our land, in that we have furnished them as rich 
soil as might be found anywhere and at such figures as they could all afford 
to buy, and while they have been developing the same we have, under the aegis 
of our state codes, thrown about them every protection.  They have appreciated 
this and have made good citizens and we are glad to have them with us.  One of 
this worthy number is Adam SMOK.
 
Mr. SMOK was born in Germany on October 4, 1863.  He is the son of Adam and 
Caroline SMOK, both born in Germany, where they grew to maturity and received 
their education in the common schools and there were married.  They are still 
living in the fatherland.
 
Adam SMOK, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in his native land and 
there received his educational training in the public schools and there he 
spent his early life.  When about thirty years of age, in 1893, he having 
failed to find the opportunities in his native land that one of his ambition 
would naturally desire, set sail for the western republic, coming directly to 
Walworth county, Wisconsin.  He first settled in Walworth county and, being 
short of funds, began working out by the day in order to get a foothold here.  
He saved his money, and later rented a farm of one hundred and twenty-five 
acres in Sharon township and here he still resides, having made a success as a 
general farmer and stock raiser, keeping the place well tilled and everything 
in tip-top shape.  Mr. SMOK was married in Germany and brought his family with 
him to America.  On May 16, 1911, Mr. SMOK was united in marriage with Mrs. 
Lena SEIN, who had been previously married, having two children by her first 
husband, Carl, who lives at home, and Rose, who died on January 17.
 
Mr. SMOK spent three years in the German army in his youth.  He belongs to the 
German Lutheran church, and he is a member or the Mystic Workers.
 
Submitted by Carol