Early Life and Career
Smith was born in Fredrikstad, Norway and grew up in a Christian family. In his early years he lived in three different towns: Sarpsborg, Kristiansand, and Oslo.
At the age of fifteen, after completing school and a watchmaker's apprenticeship, Smith went to sea. At seventeen, he joined the Norwegian Navy where he served for the next forty years. Smith completed six years military training, graduating at the top of his class and attaining the rank of Chief Gunnery Officer.
Smith married Pauline Pedersen in 1902. They had six children.
The surname "Smith" is not Norwegian. Smith's father, born Christian Johannessen, changed his name to Christian Johannessen Smith (before Johan Oscar was born) in preparation for emigration to Australia or New Zealand. As it turned out he did not emigrate, but the new name continued in the family.
Read more about this topic: Johan Oscar Smith
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