The following information has been provided by contributor 49098076. Many thanks.

Christian and his wife Lena (Pauline) were enumerated in the 1900 US Federal census in Morris Twp, Stevens County, Minnesota. They emigrated to Canada in 1903-1904. In the 1906 Canadian prairie census they are enumerated in the MacKenzie District and also there in the 1911 census. In the 1916 and 1921 census records they were enumerated in the village of Rhein, Sask with their son Robert who was born 1902. In all Canadian census records, the only child with them is Robert. So despite the age of 54 engraved on the gravestone, this grave belongs to Christian Smith. His wife is buried next to him. There is a Robert G Smith, born 1902, buried in Old Riverview Block 13. He died in 1952. In all likelihood, this is their son.

The Smith family lived in the village of Rhein at least as early as 1905. Chris operated the the Rhein Post Office from it's establishment in 1905 until 1920. He erected a small building on Main St. in 1912. He ran a store and post office in this building until 1920. In 1914 he erected a two story building on the next lot to the south. The Rhein Mercantile Co., and later Whitney and Weeks operated their businesses in this building. Chris ran a poolroom and barbershop in the same building from about 1926-1930. Both of these buildings were destroyed in the 1930 fire. In 1920 Chris built a public hall and movie theater on Railway Ave. He operated the business until at least 1938. The building was later named the Grand Hall.

Chris served as councilor for the village in 1930, and mayor in 1931-1932. He also established and maintained a zoo, which housed a deer, elk, black bear, fox, crane, pelican, Canada Goose, peacock, grouse, partridges, and many other small animals and birds. In later years, when space and upkeep for the animals became a problem, the provincial government provided accommodation for them in the park at Madge Lake, where son Robbie cared for them.