Smiths from Bear Creek, Wisconsin

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Another Patrick Smyth family

Bear Creek, Wisconsin 

Introduction 

In one of our documents we wrote about Patrick Smith (Smyth) who lived with Irish John Smith in Brule County.  In the 1920 US Census this Patrick Smith was identified as a Scottish cousin.  However, our family knew another Patrick Smyth (Smith) who lived right next door to our great ancestors in Bear Creek, Sauk County, Wisconsin.  Patrick Smyth was born in 1832 in County Monaghan too.  He died in Bear Creek Township, Sauk County, Wisconsin, on June 6, 1896.  This family maintained close relations with our own family that we suspect they too were relatives.   

Patrick Smyth  

Patrick Smyth’s first wife was named Margaret.  From this union they had the following children:  Mary Anne, Catherine, James P. (Patrick), John W., Alice and Peter.  Margaret Smyth’s name appeared in the 1880 US Census for Wisconsin.  By the mid-eighteen nineties Margaret was dead and Patrick prepared to marry for a second time. 

The Richland County Marriage Index (1850 – 1907, 2, 139) shows a marriage license for Patrick Smyth and Catherine Davey.  Catherine was born in Sligo, Ireland, and was the daughter of James Scanlon and Margaret McCoon.  Catherine married Patrick Smyth on November 11, 1889 at Keysville, Wisconsin.  Patrick was the son of William Smyth and Mary McCannon.  The marriage certificate was signed by Father Henry Koenig at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.  Witnesses included Albert Misslich and Maria Kelter. 

The following was taken from the Spring Green Home News dated November 4, 1889.  “Wedding bells are ringing.  Mr. Patrick Smyth, of Bear Creek, and Mrs. Catharine Davy, of Logansville, were married at Keysville, November 11^th.  Rev. H. Koenig performed the ceremony.” 

On June 11, 1896, the Spring Green Home News had the following tag line, “Sudden Death of a Bear Valley Citizen”.  The story continued.  Relatives and neighbors of Mr. Patrick Smyth of Bear Valley were shocked by his sudden death on Monday morning, June 6^th.  Mr. Smyth had just walked over from his home to talk with some men at work on the road nearby.  He had not spoken more than a couple of words when he fell to the ground and was dead in an instant.  He was subject to heart trouble, which was undoubtedly the cause of his death.  He was born in County Monaghan, and was 64 years of age.  He came to this country when quite young, and located at Bear Valley, being one of the first settlers of this town.  Mr. Smyth was in good circumstances, and leaves a family of six children well provided for.  These are Mrs. Benton, Mrs. John Sullivan, James, John, Alice and Peter Smyth…” 

Irish John’s Obituary 

The following comes from Irish John’s obituary:  

“There were so many out of town people attending the services that it is impossible to mention names.  Those from out of state were Frank McCarville, Arthur McCluskey and John G. Sullivan of Lone Rock, Wisc., Genevieve McPhillips and Miss Rose Love of Spring Green, James Smith, Sam Farrell, P.J. Smith, Mrs. Mary Benton and Mrs. Will Coyle of Madison, all of Wisconsin.  Mrs. Benton was Mrs. Smith’s bridesmaid when she was married in 1874.” 

Mrs. Benton was Patrick Smyth’s daughter, Mary Anne.  Patrick Smyth’s other daughter, Catherine, married John Sullivan.  While Patrick’s family may have been very good friends to our ancestors, it is more likely that they were related to our family in some way. 

1860 US Census for Wisconsin (Bear Creek Township)

To us this census is very interesting.  Our great ancestor, Catharine (Greenan) Smyth, married William Rooney and lived in Sauk County, Wisconsin.  Catharine was mother to Irish John.  Her brother was named Terence.  In the 1850 US Census for Brooklyn his named appeared as ‘Terrence Green’ and he lived with our family.  The first entry in this census is ‘Terns Greene’.  Is ‘Terns’ really ‘Terence’?  Next, we see the census record for William and Catharine Rooney.

Living next door to our great ancestor was the Patrick Smith family.  Next to Patrick’s family lived the John King family. 

Why did we include the King census in this report?  You may recall that the 1920 US Census for Brule County showed a ‘Patrick Smith’ living with the Irish John Smith family.  Patrick Smith’s mother was ‘Louisa Jane Hamilton King’ before marrying Patrick Smyth, Sr.  In the early twentieth century Louisa and her children moved to Bear Creek Township from Scotland.

1870 US Census for Wisconsin (Bear Creek)

The 1870 census also has surprises.  Page one of the census shows Patrick Smith’s name.  The next page shows the rest of his family.  The last name listed for this household is Patrick McPhillips.  Patrick McPhillips was brother to our great ancestor, Susan McPhillips.  You may also recall that Susan’s mother was born ‘Mary Smith’, possibly ‘Smyth’.  Later, Patrick McPhillips married a Catherine Smith; however, his wife was not one of Patrick’s children.

1880 US Census for Wisconsin (Bear Creek Township)

The following is the most complete census showing Patrick, Margaret and their children.