The Smith Families of Lee County, Iowa

FREDERICK W. SMITH.

The State of Iowa is greatly indebted to its citizens of Gennan birth and blood who have done much to build it up to its present imperial proportions. They are a careful and conservative people, industrious in their habits, economical in their manner of life, aufl as a bodv are ever found on the moral side of every question. It is always safe to appeal to their better nature. Every great reform has found among them stanch ad- Aocates. They were the stoutest opponents of slavery; they are the most persistent friends of a uniform and general public education.

Mr. Smith, whose name appears above, is a noteworthy representative of an old German family, though he himself was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1851. His father, Joseph Smith (Schmitt), was born in Bavaria, in 1816, and when he was seventeen years of age emigrated to the United States. In Pennsylvania he followed the trade of a shoemaker, but on his removal to Lee county, Iowa, he secured land in Charleston township, and the remainder of his active life was a farmer. He is now retired, and is making his home with a daughter in Keokuk. At one time he owned a fine farm of 175 acres, but has long since converted it into cash.

Joseph Smith has led a somewhat checkered career, having had to face serious troubles when he was quite young. His father died when he was but six years old. and though his step-father proved a kindhearted and capable man, was not as his own. He brought the family to America, and here the young lad left school at the age of fourteen years and set himself to learning the shoemaking trade. The family, consisting of mother, step-father and seven children, landed at Baltimore in September, 1834.

Joseph Smith became a young man and located himself in Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Henrietta Wittich, in January,

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Jdlm W. Smith, the oldest brother of I'Veclerick W' was a soldier in the Civil War, and served five years in the First Iowa Cavalry as a member of Company A, under the command of Captain Torrence. Upon the expiration (jf his first term of enlistment he re-enlisted, and when he was finally mustered OLit of service he was much broken in health, coming home seriously ill. After a protracted sickness he recovered, and is now lis'ing in Sioux county, Iowa.

Mr. Smith often says that the happiest moment of his life v.as when he was handed his naturalization papers, which gave him the full rights of an Atnerican citizen. He is well Wersed in the political questions of the day, I'eing always an extensive reader of the English papers. His support is given to the Republican party, of which he is a stanch advocate.

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On Christmas Day, 1884, Mr. Smith and Miss Sarah E. Brown were married in Summitville, Iowa, where the Ijride was born and reared, her birth occurring March 22, 1858. Her father, John J. Brown, was born in Utica, Michigan. August 29, 1830, and was a son of Andrew Brown, commonly called "Citizen" Brown, in recognition of his wide-awake spirit and public interest. At one time the grandfather owned a large warehouse in Keokuk, where his son, John, assisted him, doing "lighter" work, or carrying goods over the Des Moines rapids of the Mississippi river. It was impossible at that time for the river packets to ascend the rapids, something they were not able to do until the construction of the canal by the government. Mr. Brown became a wealthy man and purchased some 400 acres of land in Montrose township, though his home continued in Keokuk until his retirement from active business, when he removed to Clayton, Illinois, where he died. His wife was born at Johnstone, and came of.Scotch parentage.

John J. Brown was married April 5, 1854, to Mrs. Elizabeth Null (nee Meltz), who was born in Calhoun county, Illinois, November 11, 1827, and was of German parentage. She died J.inuary 31, icSyS, and he March 4, 1900. Both were buried in Hickory (grove cemetery, in Jackson township. Mr. Brown was a great reader and a wide student, being unusually well versed on all the ciuestions of the day. He was a stanch Republican, loo never sought official position. All his life he advocated good schools, and made his watchword their improvement. After his marriage he located (in his father's farm in Montrose township, where he spent his subsequent life with the exception of a few years before his death when he removed to a farm he owned near Warsaw. Here his wife died, while his death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Frederick ". Smith, when he was making them a visit.

Mr. and Mrs. John J. Brown were the parents of the following children: Roy, of Lake Charles, Louisiana: Ir\in J., a grocer at Salem, Iowa; Sarah, who is Mrs. Smith; prior, a merchant in Summitville. Iowa; Horatio S., who is engaged in the same business at the same place; Amelia M., the wife of Albert Miller, a resident of Montrose township.

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and well sustains an old and honored name. He is a worthy citizen, and the pen of the historian finds in him. his career and family relations and associations a congenial there. In Lee county, where so much of his active life has passed, he has a host of friends who will he trial to read of him and his.

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

RICHARD EDMUND SMITH.

R. E. Smith, who died in Keokuk in Februarw 1802. was a man of marked business energy and personal popularity, and his death was the occasion of deep regret throughout the city in which he had long made his home and in which he had come to be recognized as a man whom to know was to respect and honor. He was lion, reared and educated in Maryland and in early manhood removed from that state to Pennsylvania, where he became a snh-contractor in the building of a tunnel a mile and a quarter in length through the Alleghany mountains. This was a difficult piece of engineering and indicated his superior skill in that direction. Mr. Smith arrived in Liwa in 1854. at which time he took uj) his above in Davenport. Init not pleased with that city he came to Keokuk in 1855 and purchased property here with the intention of making his permanent home in Lee county. He then returned to Loretta. Pennsyh-ania. where on the 4th day of May, 1856, he was married. He then brought his bride to his new home and here began contracting and building, his attention being given to the construction of houses. Later he was made assistant superintendent on the Des Moines-Valley Road, occupying that position for sixteen years, when his health failed and he turned his attention to the building of county bridges for Lee county. He was employed as count\' supervisor and afterward took small contracts up to the time of his death, doing whatever his health ])iTmitted. lie enjoyed the unqualified conlitlence of the business community because of his fidelity to the terms of a contract and his strict conformity to the ethics of business life. He constructed the first freight car ever built in the State of Iowa and the tree is still standing unfler which he did his work, for that was before any shops were built. Later he gave his attention to the building of passenger coaches. As stated. Mr. Smith was married, in Loretta. Pennsvlvania, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine A. Myers. who was born in that city April 18, 1832. Her parents were John B. and Catherine (Meyers) Myers. Her parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States soon after their marriage, locating in Loretta, Pennsylvania, where 'Mr. Myers carried on farming. Sul)sequently he turned his attention to hotel keeping at that ]place. Mrs. Smith is related to the Schwab millionaires, of Pittsburg, and is an aunt of Charles M. Schwab, of steel fame. L'nto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born six sons and two daughters: Charles, now living in Hannibal, missouri; b'rank, who died in 1899, at the age of thirty-seven years; Edward, a resident of Pentler, Nebraska; George, who is living in Omaha; \Villiam, who is with the FrankcblM-ank & Company, wholesale milliners, of Kansas City, Missouri; John, a member of the firm of Cherry, Sither & Company, stoves and tinware, of Keokuk; Mrs. Anna White, a widow residing with her mother, and M.ary (race. the wife of W. Winger, a dry goods merchant of Keokuk. Mrs. Smith now has ten grandchildren.

Mr. Smith held membership in St. Frances De Sales Roman Catholic church, to which all his family belonged. He was a man of many estimable traits of character, was very generous and kind to the poor and needy, sympathetic with those in distress and had a ready understanding that enabled him to enter into the feeling and realize the conditions of others. His benevolent spirit prompted him to give assistance wherever it was needed and yet he was always unostentatious in his charity. He was a wise cousin seller in business, giving his advice freely when it was sought, and his judgment was rarely, if ever, at fault. In his family, however, his best traits of character were shown. He was a devoted husband and father, doing everything in his power to promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and children. His relations to his employes is shown by the fact that while he was serving as railway superintendent the employes of that road bought and presented to him a horse and saddle, the former valued at $250. His popularity- with his friends was proven by the gift of a gold-headed cane, which was voted to him at a Catholic fair as the most popular railroad man of the city He left his family in comfortable circumstances, having his home and other city property in addition to considerable life insurance. He died at the age of sixty-two years, respected by all who knew him and his memory is yet cherished not only by his immediate family, but also by the many friends whom he won during the years of his residence in Keokuk.

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

J. FRANK SMITH.

Among Keokuk's honored dead should be mentioned J. Frank Smith, who was well known in Lee county as an attorney. With the practice of law he also combined the making of abstracts, and his professional and other connections made him widely known. He was born in Ohio on the 7th of October, 1848, a son of M. D. and Minerva (James) Smith. The father passed away while the family were still in Ohio and in the fall of 1857 ''"' mother came to Lee county, Iowa, with her family, accompanying her parents, who at that time emigrated westward and settled on a farm north of Keokuk. In 1858 they removed to the vicinity of Charleston and in 1864 a further removal was made to Keokuk.

J. Frank Smith attended the public schools in the different localities where the family resided, continuing his education in the grammar and high schools of Keokuk. He afterward clerked in a shoe store and subsequently turned his attention to the dry-goods trade, with which he was connected in the capacity of salesman. Thinking, however, to find professional pursuits more congenial, he took up the study of law, reading under the direction of Joseph G. Anderson, of the firm of Gilmore & Anderson. He started an abstract of titles business and it was subsequent to that time that he began reading law, knowing how valuable such a course would be in connection with his other interests and recognizing, too, the broad held open to the active members of the bar. It was in 1879 that he and a sister, Miss Nannie M. Smith, established an abstract business under the firm name of. F. & N. M. Smith, under which name the business has since been continued, although in 1908 J. Frank Smith retired, his sister remaining alone until joined by her nephew, Ralph B. Smith.

J. Frank Smith was an active republican, and his opinions carried weight in the local councils of the party. He served as township committeeman and did everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of republican interests. He was not connected with secret societies, but was a man of social nature who readily won friends and retained their high regard by reason of a well spent life. He attended the Congregational church, of which his wife was a member, and high and honorable principles guided him in every relation.

In October, 1879, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Buell, a daughter of Lyman W. and N. H. (Doolittle) Buell, and to them were born the following children: Ralph B.; Margaret A., who died in infancy; and Ruth E. The death of Mr. Smith occurred on the 30th of June, 1908, and his wife survived him for less than a year, passing away May 17, 1909. They were people of many good traits, so that they enjoyed the warm esteem of those who knew them, and a large circle of friends mourn their loss.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

RALPH B. SMITH.

Ralph B. Smith, well known in business circles of Keokuk as a member of the firm of J. F. & N. M. Smith, engaged in the abstract of titles business, was born in the city which is still his home, February 5, 1883, his parents being J. Frank and Margaret (Buell) Smith. At the usual age he entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades, and then in preparation for a professional career entered the law department of Drake Lniversitv, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. Some years before his father and his aunt had established an abstract of titles business under the firm name of J. F. & N. M. Smith and in July, 1908, Ralph B. Smith became a member of this firm. The business is still continued under the old name. They have a large clientage and are well qualified to take care of an important business of this character. They are always faithful to the interests of those whom they represent and their liberal patronage is well deserved.

In his political views Mr. Smith is an earnest republican. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and regards it the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to support those political projects which he believes to be for the best interests of the community, state or nation. He has served in some local offices, including those of deputy clerk, deputy recorder and city attorney. Fraternally Mr. Smith is a Mason and has taken the Royal Arch degrees, serving at the present time as high priest in the chapter. He is interested in all public movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further such movements. His ideas are progressive and his methods practical, and thus substantial work is achieved for the benefit of the community.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

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BIOGRAPHICAL REl'IEW their ])parents. All the children were born at Primrose, and there received excellent educational advantages, while Charles and Emma also attended Mount Pleasant academy.

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

GEORGE W. SMITH.

George '. Smith, editor of the 'est Point Bee. of West Point. Lee county, Iowa, was born at Waterloo, Illinois, February 10. 1858. the son of George and Caroline Smith. He received his education in the common schools of St. Louis, having removed to that city in his early childhood. He remained a resident of St. Louis until 1871, during which time he learned the printing trade, which as a young man he followed for a number of years. After 1871 he worked at his trade in all the principal cities of the United States, his longest connection with any one publication being that with the Chicago Herald, which covered a period of fifteen years.

In 1894, ]Mr. Smith located in West Point, purchasing the Bee. a Democratic paper which had been established in 1892. At the time of the purchase the publication had but a small circulation, but under the thoughtful and enterprising management of ]\Mr. Smith has greatly improved in character and appearance, and now enjoys a circulation of more than one thousand copies per week, a remarkable achievement. This is the only newspaper in the northwestern part of the county, where it occupies a peculiarly influential position. Mechanically it is of a high grade of excellence, and consists of four pages of well-written articles of local and general interest.

In 1887 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Kate R. Carroll, a native of Chicago, and to them have been born two daughters. Ernestine and Consuelo.

Mr. Smith is at the present time director of the public school, and a new and modern brick building has been erected for the accommodation of the schools. He has no other outside interests, however, and devotes all his time to the newspaper, including job printing, and in this enterprise has met with financial and professional success of ver\' gratifying proportions. He is well known throughout Lee county, and his force of character and genial temperament have made him universally popular.

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

A young man who has within a few years attained for himself an enviable position in the financial circles of Lee county is Lawrence Smith, of West Point. Mr. Smith was born in Hancock county, Illinois, October I, 1874, the son of Riley Smith. He received his early education in the district school, and later attended college at Quincy, Illinois, from which he was graduated in the classical and commercial courses in the class of '93. Shortly after his graduation he began his independent career by removing to West Point, Iowa, and identifying himself with the private bank known as the Bank of West Point, having a capital of $15,000, with Riley Smith as president, Frederick Kriekenbaum vice-president and Mr. Smith as bookkeeper and assistant cashier, acting in this capacity until November, 1896, when he became the cashier and has since filled this position.

In 1896 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Anna Hutchinson, a native of 'est Point, and they have one daughter, Muriel. Mr. and Mrs. Smith attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Smith is a member. In matters pertaining to politics Mr. Smith maintains an independent attitude, never casting his vote according to partisan distinctions, but giving his support to those who in his opinion are individually best qualified for the public service. He enjoys the general esteem in the county and town of his adoption, and in 1904 was elected to the office of Mayor of West Point on an independent ticket. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Smith devotes his entire time during office hours to the banking business, and his experience here has been one of unbroken success. This being the only bank in the northwestern part of Lee county, it draws from a very extensive and resourceful tributary territory, and the choice of location reflects credit upon the founder. Mr. Smith's residence in West Point is an artistically designed edifice of impressive proportions, modern in its appointments and of pleasant surroundings, and is the center of a refined and cultured social circle. He possesses talents of no mean order, and by virtue of his well-known character of high-minded integrity and frankness, qualities which mark his contact with others in all relations of life, he is accorded respect wherever known, and is just considered one of the rising young men of Lee county.

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