The Smith Families of Black Hawk County, Iowa

W. W. SMITH.

LaPorte City is fortunate in having as its mayor W. W. Smith, a man of undoubted administrative ability and of unimpeachable integrity. He is a native of the Empire state, born in May, 1843, a son of Isaac and Dollie (Canfield) Smith, who were likewise born in New York. The father removed with his family to Tama county, Iowa, in 1858 and made his home there through the remaining years of his life. He died in 1872, and his wife passed away in 1854 while the family were still living in New York.

W. W. Smith was reared upon the home farm and as soon as he was old enough began to help his father with the cultivation of the fields and the care of the live stock, and thus he gained a practical training that was of great advantage to him later in life. Nor was his formal education neglected, as he attended the common schools of the neighborhood. When eighteen years of age his patriotic spirit was aroused by the news of the assault on Fort Sumter and the attempt of the southern states to secede, and at the beginning of the war he enlisted in the Union army, being enrolled as a member of Company D, Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years and was under fire many times, taking part in a number of important engagements. At the close of the war he went to Benton county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of land, which he improved and developed. He gradually increased his acreage until he became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres, which is still in his possession and which he operated until 1902. In that year he rented his land and removed to LaPorte City, where he has since resided. He immediately identified himself with public affairs and the welfare of the community and is now serving his third term as mayor of the city, his record being indorsed by reelection.

In December, 1867, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Estella D. Marsh, who was a daughter of Jasper and Caroline (Davis) Marsh, both natives of New York. In 1860 they removed to Tama county, Iowa, and the father operated a farm there until his death, which occurred in 1868. His widow lived many years longer, dying in 191 1. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born five children: O. J., a resident of Dysart, Iowa; Carrie, the wife of M. M. Hill, of Hood River, Oregon; W. H., who is farming the homestead; Alary, who died in 1912; and George L., also a resident of Hood River, Oregon. After a year's illness Mrs. Smith died in 1884 and Mr. Smith was married to Miss Louisa J. Johnson in April,. 1887. To this union have been born two children: Leota, the wife of '. H. Grove, of Montana; and Lloyd J., who is at home.

Mr. Smith is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church and cooperates with all movements seeking the moral advancement of the community. He supports the republican party at the polls and is quite prominent in local political circles. He belongs to M. F. Thompson Post, No. 187, G. A. R., and fraternally holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and in the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Whether engaged as an agriculturist or devoting his time as a public official to the administration of the city government, he has invariably manifested the qualities of energy, initiative and sound common sense. These characteristics have enabled him to gain success and to win the confidence of his fellowmen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

G. L. SMITH.

G. L. Smith, one of the leading and successful building contractors of Waterloo, maintains his offices at No. 628 Washington street and during the four years of his business activity here has become widely known as a general contractor for all kinds of structures. He was born near West Union, Fayette county, Iowa, a son of George and Roxena (Butler) Smith, both of whom are deceased. The father was a pioneer settler of Fayette county and followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career.

G. L. Smith acquired his education in the country schools of his native county and after putting aside his textbooks followed farming until twenty-two years of age. Subsequently he served a five years' apprenticeship as a carpenter and afterward spent six years in the hardware business at West Union, Iowa. He next began working at his trade as a carpenter and contractor, being thus engaged there until 1910, when he came to Waterloo and continued the same activities on a more extensive scale. He has erected a large number of buildings in Waterloo and Cedar Falls and now enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the leading contractors of the former city. Through the able management of his interests he has contributed not only to his own prosperity, but his labors have proven an important element in the material upbuilding and development of his adopted county.

In 1896 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Holmes, a native of West Union, Iowa, and a daughter of James and Katurah Holmes. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children: Mildred L., a high-school student; and Warren H., who is also attending school.

Mr. Smith gives his political allegiance to the democracy but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Alodern Woodmen of America, while the religious faith of himself and his family is that of the Methodist Episcopal church. He possesses many qualities that have commended him to the friendship and kindly regard of all with whom he has come in contact, and he is numbered among the valued and representative residents of Waterloo and Black Hawk county.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

SIDNEY C. SMITH.

Sidney C. Smith, an enterprising and successful young business man of Waterloo, is a member of the firm of Quest & Smith, plumbers and steamfitters, conducting one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in the city. His birth occurred in Rockford, Illinois, on the 16th of September, 1887, his parents being Harry and Eliza (Hodges) Smith, both of whom were natives of England. They emigrated to the United States in young manhood and young womanhood and were married in Rockford, Illinois. Harry Smith was a harness maker by trade and for many years conducted a harness shop in that city. His demise occurred at Rockford in 1909, when he had attained the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. Smith survives, however, and now makes her home with a daughter in Dixon, Illinois.

Sidney C. Smith acquired his education in the graded and high schools of Rockford and when in his sixteenth year became a wage earner as an employe in the Wire Iron Works of that city, remaining with that concern for about eighteen months. In the spring of 1904 he came to Waterloo, Iowa, served an apprenticeship to the plumber's trade and subsequently worked as a journeyman until 1910. In that year he purchased an interest in the plumbing business of George H. Quest, forming the firm of Quest & Smith, which has developed one of the most extensive enterprises of the kind in Waterloo. The junior partner is widely recognized as a young man of excellent executive ability and keen discernment who has contributed not a little to the growing success of the concern.

On the lath of September, 191 1, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Aliss Maud Frye, of Waterloo, Iowa. He is identified fraternally with Helmet Lodge, No. 89, K. P., and also belongs to the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce and the Town Criers Club. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, to which his wife likewise belongs. In private life he has been actuated by principles which govern honorable and upright manhood and the same high ideals have ever been manifest in his business dealings.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PAUL W. SMITH.

Paul W. Smith is a partner in the law firm of Edwards, Langley, Ransier & Smith and in this connection has won a creditable position at the bar of Black Hawk county. His life record stands in contradistinction to the old adage about a prophet being without honor in his own country, for Mr. Smith has won a creditable place at the bar of his native city, his birth having occurred in Waterloo in 1885. His father, E. B. Smith, now deceased, was a native of New York and at a very early day came to Waterloo, where the family home was established and has since been maintained. He married Agnes W. Williams, who still makes her home in Waterloo, although she is now residing in California. The children of this marriage are: Roger W.. a practicing attorney of Alaska; Margaret, the wife of L. G. Braun, of Los Angeles. California; Paul W., of this review; Lawrence L.. who is connected with the Waterloo Cement Machinery Corporation of Waterloo; and Merritt B., who is with his mother in California.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.