The Smith family -- Melissa, Eugene, and Dewitt -- had a portrait taken in 1861 before Dewitt Smith left to fight with the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Dewitt, Osseo postmaster and county commissioner, was injured at the Battle of Antietam, and returned to Minnesota to recuperate. While back in Minnesota, Dewitt was appointed the Minnesota State Librarian, but that post didn't last long. He rejoined the Army in May 1864. Five months later, the steamboat he was traveling on was attacked by Confederate guerillas, and Dewitt was killed.