John Conrad Smith was the first son of George and Gertrude Smith. He was born on September 14, 1896 and baptised on October 5th in Bracebridge, Ontario. He was raised in Foley Township, near Parry Sound, Ontario.

John listed himself as a construction worker when he filled out the attestation papers for World War 1 in 1917. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall with blue eyes and brown hair and 165 pounds in weight.

John left Halifax on June 22, 1917 arriving in Liverpool on July 5. He entered the theater of war on July 27, 1917, and he served in France and Belgium as a private in the forestry division. He was granted 14 days leave in the United Kingdom in February 1918, then contracted mumps in March. He was discharged from the hospital on April 18, 1918 and rejoined his company. In November he was sent to Paris, then rejoined his company in December. After the war, he returned to Canada disembarking in Halifax on March 22, 1919.

In 1925, John was a locomotive fireman when he married Annie Gladys McGown, daughter of John and Betsy McGown in Parry Sound on September 15.

They had four children - Ruth, Betty, Sheelah and George.

John died on July 15, 1971. Gladys died November 13, 1986.