Elder Interview-Chester Smith
Name/Title
Elder Interview-Chester SmithEntry/Object ID
A.2008.001.434Tags
Needs Accession Sheet, Needs Location, Needs PhotoDescription
Smith, Chester G. Born 05/13/1927 Parents: Chester A. Smith and Mamie L. (Williams) Maternal Grandparents: Peter Williams and Louise Denny Paternal Grandparents: Leonard Smith and Olive Cornelius His father worked in Milwaukee. They had a home there. They moved back to Oneida until 1936 then moved back to Milwaukee. His father worked at International Harvester. Chester went to elementary and High School in Milwaukee. He went to the Navy in 1944 and got out in 1946. He went back to school but couldn’t find a job so he reenlisted in the Navy. He then stayed in the Navy until 1968. His grandfather’s house is T-shaped. They had 6 stories in the house to heat up in the winter. His grandmother use to make baskets and his mother was the first secretary in the commission. She’s had a lot of doings with the tribe. Both of his parents went and graduated from Haskell. His father could understand the Oneida language but couldn’t speak it. His mother both spoke and understood the language. His father worked in Haskell after he graduated. His grandfather came from Canada. His grandmother got killed by a drunk driver. Two weeks after her death his grandfather died. Chester went to Vietnam while in the Navy and was there for 8 months. When he left from there he went around the world for the 2nd time. He did shore duty for 2 years in Key West, Florida. He went back to school then he completely retired from the Navy and school. He does odd jobs here and there. **Transcript in Archives Box 15Recording Type
Audio/VisualCollection
Elder InterviewsCataloged By
Gerzetich, Courtney (Cottrell)Category
Digital Media, Military