Smith Carlton

Smith Carlton is a Civil War hero from Comstock. He fought for what he thought was right. He succeeded at that.

Smith Carlton was born in New York on May 3, 1847. At age three he and his parents moved to Comstock, Michigan. After the Civil War he married Miss Isabel J. Vose. He had at least one child. He was a farmer and a school teacher. He took part in many community activities. Almost every child in southern Comstock knew him, and he knew them.

At age 17 Smith ran away from home and enlisted in the 28th Michigan Infantry. Most of the war he served in Richmond and North Carolina. He also participated in Sherman's March through Georgia. Carlton served in the Civil War for about one year, 1864-1865. Carlton was a commander of Orcutt Post Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.)

Smith Carlton died in 1943 at Bronson Hospital after being hit by an automobile. He was 96 years of age when he died. He still has relatives in Comstock after all these years.

We should respect Smith Carlton and the other solders from Michigan because without them life could be a lot different in Comstock. Life here would be different because many people from the continent of Africa would be slaves instead of American citizens. Life also would be different because many African American geniuses would be slaves so we would not have their knowledge.

Source : Comstock Bicentennial 1776-1976

By : Neal

Date : May 2003