The Smith Families of Guthrie County, Iowa

GEORGE W. SMITH.

George A\. Smith owns and operates a farm which is pleasantly situated near Coon Rapids, on section 13, Orange township, and has been his home for more than thirty-seven years. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 30, 1837, a son of Charles Smith, who was born in the state of Pennsylvania. Upon leaving the Keystone state the father located in Dayton, Ohio, where he engaged in the tobacco business, but later removed to Cincinnati, where he continued in business. Following his marriage in this state to Miss Mary A. Ernest, who was born in Virginia, he located on a farm near Springfield, Ohio, and there carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1855. when, with his family consisting of wife and several children, he took up his above in Jefferson county, Iowa, but after a year there spent continued his journey to Guthrie count\ locating on a farm in Orange township.

Both the parents are now deceased, the mother having departed this life in 1867, while the father, who survived for about three years, passed away in Guthrie Center in 1870. Their family numbered thirteen children, of whom one brother of our subject also resides in Guthrie county.

George W. Smith was a lad of nine years at the time of the removal from the Buckeye state to Iowa, and his education, which had been begun in the schools of his native state, was continued in the district schools of Guthrie county. He was early trained to the duties of the home farm and as his age and strength permitted he rendered valuable assistance to his father in the operation of the homestead property, thereby gaining a knowledge of agricultural pursuits which in later years has proven of benefit to him in carrying on business on his own account. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-five years, when, in response to the country's call for aid, he enlisted in defense of the Union cause, becoming a member of Company I, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. During his service at the front he took part in many important engagements, including those of Jenkins Ferry, Little Rock, Arkansas, Devil's Bluff and Helena, Arkansas. He served for two years as a musician and was promoted from the ranks to the position of corporal of his regiment. He was never wounded and made a most creditable record, being mustered out at the end of three years' service, on the 13th of August, 1865, at New Orleans. He was ever faithful in the performance of every duty that devolved upon him, proving himself a most valiant and loyal defender of the Union cause.

Upon his return from the war Mr. Smith located in Carroll county, Iowa, where he remained for five years, and on the expiration of that period he once more returned to Orange township, Guthrie county, and this has continued to be his home to the present time. He is here successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits on a well-improved tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, lying on section 13, Orange township, this property having been acquired through his own well-directed efforts and capable management. He has placed his land under a good state of cultivation and each year harvests abundant crops, the sale of which adds materially to his annual income.

It was prior to his enlistment in the army that Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Squires, on the loth of November, 1 86 1. She is a daughter of Richard Squires, who located in Highland township, this county, in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have become the parents of seven children, but three of the number are now deceased. The record is as follows: George, Jr., deceased; Flora T., the wife of Herman Fell, a resident farmer of Seely township; Richard, a farmer of Orange township; Frederick, who carries on farming in Highland township; Gale, deceased; Thomas Ira, who has also departed this life; and Pearl, who is successfully engaged in teaching in the district schools.

Mr. Smith and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party. He served as justice of the peace for over twenty years, his decisions ever being characterized by fairness and impartiality. He has served as township clerk, school treasurer and school director and in all his public service has manifested the same interest that he has exercised in carrying on his private business affairs. He keeps in touch with his old army comrades through membership in Perry Wright post. No. 188, G.

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

JOHN T. SMITH.

The business interests of Casey find a worthy representative in John T. Smith, who is known as a wide-awake general merchant, alert and enterprising. He was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, on the 15th of September, 1854, and is one of the five children of Charles and Spicy (Thompson) Smith, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, born in 1821 and in 1824 respectively. They were married in the state of their nativity and three of their children were born there. The father was a farmer by occupation and continued to engage in the tilling of the soil in the old North state until 1851, when he removed with his family to Indiana. There he lived for four years and in the autumn of 1855 journeyed westward to Iowa, becoming one of the early settlers of Adair county, living just across the line from Guthrie county and owning land in both counties. This portion of the state was still largely an unimproved and undeveloped region, but the seeds of civilization were being planted by progressive men who were making their way into Iowa from the older settled portions of the east and south. Mr. Smith entered one hundred and twenty acres of land on the county line, part of which lay in Guthrie and part in Adair county. The farm adjoins what is now the town of Casey, although the village had not been laid out at that time. As the years passed Mr. Smith carried on general agricultural pursuits and resided upon the old homestead until 1902, passing away in his eighty-first year. His was an upright, honorable life and he was one of the esteemed citizens of this section of the state. In early years his political allegiance was given to the whig party, but on its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party, which he continued to support until 1864. In that year he voted the democratic ticket and was ever afterward one of the stalwart champions of democracy. He was never an aspirant for office but held several minor township positions and the trust reposed in him was-never betrayed in the slightest degree. He is still survived by his widow, who yet resides on the old homestead near Casey. She has long been an active and devoted member of the Baptist church and in her family has been a most loving and caretaking mother. Four of her children are yet living: Amanda, the wife of Moses P. Stockwell, of Adair county; Taylor, of the same county; John T., of this review; and Joseph, who is engaged in the butchering business in Casey.

During his infancy John T. Smith was brought to Adair county, where he lived until 1891, when he moved across the line to Casey, Iowa. His mind bears the impress of the early historic annals of this section of the state and of the events which shaped its course and marked its growth. He was reared upon the old home farm and assisted in the arduous task of developing the fields and cultivating the crops. His education was acquired in the public schools of Casey, and on reaching his majority he was given forty acres of land in Adair county by his father. He then entered actively upon the work of farming and for fourteen years continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits, during which time he added eighty acres to his original tract, thus making a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he still owns. In the spring of 1890, however, he put aside the work of the fields and purchased a half interest in the mercantile business of T. S. M. Gwin, at Casey, where he moved his family in 1 89 1. In the fall of 1891, however, they sold that business and in the summer of 1903 Mr. Smith embarked in business on his own account, since which time he has continuously been identified with general merchandising in Casey. He has a well appointed store, in which he carries a carefully selected line of goods, and his patronage is now large and gratifying.

In the year 1882 Mr. Smith was joined in wedlock to Aliss Mary A. Moore, of Casey, Iowa, and unto them have been born two children: Evelyn, who is a teacher in the grammar room of the Casey high school, of which she is a graduate; and Cleveland, a painter and paper-hanger of Casey. The wife and mother died in 1884 and in 1891 Mr. Smith w'as again married, his second union he'mg with Estelle Harden, of Adair county, a daughter of Abraham and Anna

(Boies) Harden. Unto this marriage have been bom six children: Charles, Ruby, Margaret. Thomas, Hilda and Susan.

Mr. Smith fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge and he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal success. In business life he knows no such word as fail, but on the contrary possesses the energy and determination which enable him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path and advance steadily on the highroad to prosperity.

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

S. A. SMITH.

S. A. Smith is one of the most extensive land owners of Guthrie county, being the possessor of five hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land, situated on

Ohio; Sardine, of Miner county. South Dakota, and William P., who is acting as cashier of the Amesville Bank at Athens, Ohio. The subject of this review acquired his education in the common schools of his native state, and in early life learned and followed the carpenter's trade. \Mien a young man of twenty-three years he left his native state and came to Iowa, locating in Linn county, near Springville, but remained there for only a brief period, continuing his journey to Tama county. He took up his above near Toledo, where he remained for eighteen years, and during a part of that time worked at his trade. In 1882 he came to Guthrie county and invested in land in Orange township, to which he has since added as his financial resources permitted until he is today the owner of five hundred and twenty of the rich farming land of Iowa, from which he derives an income that today places him among the prosperous and well-to-do residents of his section of the state, his home place being located on section 26. Orange township. Mr. Smith was born March 31, sections 24, 25 and 26. He has been judicious in placing his investments, and in all his work displays a spirit of enterprise and progressiveness. With the assistance of his sons he is now engaged in general agricultural pursuits upon an extensive scale, and

1 84 1, in Monroe county, Ohio, near Woodseach year adds to his income through the field, a son of Aaron and Sarah Ann (Jones) Smith, the former also a native of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Guernsey county, while the latter was born in Virginia, but was married in the former state. The father was a stone-cutter and followed his trade in Athens county, Ohio, where his death occurred in 1894. when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-two years. He had survived his wife for about a year, her death having occurred in 1893.

S. A. Smith is the eldest in a family of nine children, the others being Mrs. Mary P. Randolph, who resides in Washington county, Ohio; Thomas Osborne, who died in the army after he had participated in the harvesting of abundant crops. He has improved his place with good buildings, including a fine country residence and substantial! outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and everything about his farm is kept in a good state of repair.

On the 6th of April. 1862, occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Elizabeth Parkins, a resident of.Xthens county. Ohio. They have become the parents of eight children, but the eldest, Lineas Osborne, is now deceased. Those still surviving are: Erastus L., who operates a farm belonging to his father; Celista Rosetta, the wife of Getorge Doty, a traveling salesman for the Medicated Stock Food Company, and a resident

S. A. SMITH of Council Bluffs, Iowa; William Finley, who follows farming south of Guthrie Center; Minerva May, the wife of J. W. Doty, who follows farming west of Guthrie Center; Aaron S., who is associated with his father in the management of the home farm; Maria Mabel Gertrude, at home, and Samuel J., who also assists his father on the home farm.

Mr. Smith's political views endorse the principles of the republican party, and by his fellow townsmen he has been called upon to fill some local offices, having served as justice of the peace and as a member of the Guthrie county high school board for eleven years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart friend. For twenty years he served as postmaster at Erastus, but this effie has been discontinued. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Smith and his family are prominent in the community where they have so long resided, and he is everywhere known for his reliable and straightforward methods in all business transactions, thereby enjoying the full confidence of his fellowmen. His success in the business world is richly merited, for it has been acquired only through the most honorable methods, and he is therefore deserving of mention in this volume.

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

WILLIAM F. SMITH.

'william F. Smith, who is a prosperous and progressive agriculturist of Guthrie county, owning and operating one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 11, Highland township, and eighty acres in Seely township, is also prominently connected with the Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company as one of its organizers and now its heaviest stockholder. He was born in Putnam county. New York, September 13, 1856, a son of James C. and Frances (Mekeel) Smith, the former a native of Putnam county and a wagonmaker by trade. He spent his entire life in that county, passing away there in 1899. His widow, however, still survives and yet makes her home in Putnam county. Of their family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, William F. is the sixth in order of birth, the other members of the family being Melissa, Carrie, George, James, Mary, Estella, Anna, Ida and Sarah.

\Ailliam F. Smith spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state and was there educated in the district schools. He remained at home until he had reached the age of twenty-six years, when, believing that better opportunities awaited him in the west, he accordingly made his way to Iowa, locating first in Johnson county, this state. After four years there passed he continued his journey to Guthrie county, where for seven years he operated rented land. During that period he worked earnestly and persistently in the hope of acquiring a competence that would justify his purchase of property. This ambition was rewarded and he eventually made purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, situated on section 11, Highland township, and eighty acres in Seely township, all of which is tillable and which responds' readily to the care and labor which he bestow upon it. He has improved his property with substantial buildings and fences and everything about the place is kept in good state of repair, so that he is today classed among the enterprising agriculturists of his section of the county. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Smith also makes a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle, and this branch of his business is proving a profitable venture.

Mr. Smith has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Anna Daugherty, their marriage being celebrated in January, 1883. Their home was blessed with two sons, Charles and Ray, both at home. The wife and mother departed this life in 1896, and on the 25th of April, 1897, Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Nettie J. Conrad, the widow of Charles Conrad. She bore the maiden name of Rich and was born in Scott county, lov/a. By the second marriage of Mr. Smith there is one son, William M., also at home, and by her former marriage Mrs. Smith has a son and daughter — Harry and Delia — the former now living in Crawford county, Iowa, while the latter is with her mother.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

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

E. W. SMITH.

E. \Y. Smith is the owner of an excellent farm property of three hundred and twenty acres, his home being situated on section 21, Highland township. He has always lived in the middle west, his birth having occurred near La Crosse, Wisconsin, on the 3d of September, 1861. His father, Sylvester

Smith, was born in Ohio and went to Wisconsin at an early day. In 1866 he came to this state, settling in Muscatine county, where he again took up the active work of the farm, in which he continued until his life's labors were ended in death in the year 1879. His wife survived him for about two years, passing away in 1881. She bore the maiden name of Mary Hildreth and was born in Ohio.

E. W. Smith, of this review is one of family of four children, but is the only representative of the number in Guthrie county. His youth was largely passed in the acquirement of a good common-school education and when not busy with his text-books he worked upon his father's farm, becoming familiar with every detail of the business and work which is so necessary to the successful management of farming property. He lived for a short time in Dallas county, low-a. At a later date he came to Guthrie county, arriving in 1888. and here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 21, Highland tow'ship. Later he bought land on the river, securing forty acres on section 27, and subsequently he invested in one hundred and sixty acres on sections 27 and 28. His holdings therefore aggregate three hundred and twenty acres, and he still owns and conducts this property. Everything about his place is indicative of his careful supervision and practical methods and the farm is now very valuable because he has made his fields productive through careful cultivation and the judicious use of fertilizers. He also raises graded stock and both branches of his business are proving remunerative.

On the ist of January, 1885, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Lizzie Wagner, a resident of Louisa county. Iowa. They now have two sons, Willard and Frank, both at home. The family are all members of the Christian church and are interested in its work and upbuilding. Mr. Smith is a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge, No. 493, at Bayard, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. He has served in various local offices. His influence is ever on the side of improvement and advancement and he has co-operated in many measures for the public good along material, intellectual and moral lines.

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

HARLIE E. SMITH.

Harhe E. Smith, assistant cashier and one of the directors of the Abram Rutt National Bank, was born in Perrin, Clinton county, Missouri, June 20, 1878, and is one of the five children of William C. and Julia P. (Phillips) Smith. The father was born near Grand Haven, Michigan, on the 3d of June, 1849, his parents were Volney and Margaret (Stearn) Smith, who were natives of Pennsylvania and were of Dutch descent. The family removed to Ohio when William C Smith was only about a year old and when he was a youth of six became residents of Minnesota, where he remained until his twentieth year. He then came to iowa, where he has since resided. He has been variously employed in different parts of the state. For twenty-seven years he has made his home in Casey and for several years during the winter seasons has been engaged in dealing in hides and furs, while for three years past he has worked intermittently in the grocery store of W. C. Betts & Company. He is recognized as one of the local leaders in the ranks of the republican party and has served as street commissioner, while for five years he filled the office of city marshal.

In the year 1874 William C. Smith was married to Miss Julia Phillips, of Illinois, who is still living, and they became the parents of five children, of whom four survive, namely: Harlie E.; Bertha, the wife of Milton Allen, a farmer of Adair county, Iowa; Mabel, the wife of Ellis Betts, who is engaged in the grocery business in Casey: and Frank, at home. The second child, Lucy, is deceased.

Harlie E. Smith spent his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. He passed through successive grades until he had completed a course in the Casey high school by graduation in the spring of 1894. In the vinter of 1897-8 he was employed as a clerk in the Citizens' Bank at Casey and then to further equip himself for responsible and onerous duties of a business career he entered the Omaha Commercial College in the spring of 1898, completing the full course the same year. He afterward accepted a position as guard at the Trans- Mississippi Exposition at Omaha, Nebraska, where he sei'ved during the continuance of the fair. In the fall of that year he secured a position with the wholesale candy house of Kopp, Dreibus & Company, at Omaha, in the capacity of assistant bookkeeper and there remained for a year. He afterward became a bill clerk in the wholesale grocery house of McCord, Brady & Company, with whom he continued for six months, when he returned to Casey. He spent the following summer in canvassing through the state of Iowa,and on the loth of September, 1900, he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the private banking house of Abram Rutt. About three years later he was made assistant cashier and upon the reorganization of the bank in 1906 he acquired an interest in the institution and was made one of its directors as well as assistant cashier, being thus officially connected with the enterprise at the present time.

In addition to his banking interests Mr. Smith is also a stockholder and the secretary of the Casey Creamery Company, serving in this official capacity for the past three years. In politics he is a republican and that he is one of the representative residents of the city is indicated by the fact that he is now serving as a member of the council. He is, moreover, interested in the religious development of the community, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and has been very active in the Sunday-school for a number of years, serving at the present time as one of its teachers.

On the JOth of June. 1902, Mr. Smith was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Maude Ives, a daughter of John A. Ives, now Hving retired in Casey. He was a veteran of the Civil war and is a worthy citizen here. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three children: Julia Theodosia, now deceased; Harmon Landis, and Velma Alaude.

Mr. Smith is a young man of recognized business capacity and ability. Moreover, he has displayed the sterling purpose and strong determination which have enabled him to overcome difficulties and obstacles, and with laudable ambition he has worked his way upward until he is recognized as a strong moving force in the business life of the community.

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