The Smith Families of Linn County, Iowa

JOHN T. SMITH, M. D. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch, came into Linn County in 1853, and is now residing in College Township on section 13. He is a well-known and prominent citizen, and for the space of thirty years has identified himself with the interests of this community. He is a native of Elkhart County, Ind., and was born May 5, 1835. His father, Isaac Smith, was a native of Ohio, and pursued the peaceful occupation of agriculture, lie was married at Athens, that State, to Miss Surah Thomas, a Virginia lady, born and reared in Tyler County. After their marriage and the birth of four children, they determined to seek a home further west, and. proceeding to Indiana, located upon a tract of land which the father improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. This tract embraced a half section, and upon it they remained until after the birth of eight more children, when they removed and emigrated to the Hawkeye State. This was in 1853, and before Linn County was extensively settled. Here they lived and labored, establishing for

themselves and their children a comfortable home, and, at a ripe old age, passed away in peace, the mother in 1871, at the age of sixty-seven years, and the father in 1 880, at the age of seventy-nine.

The subject of this notice was educated in Mt. Vernon, and resided with his parents, lie completed his studies at the State University, at Ann Arbor, Mich., and afterward took a course of medical lectures, preparatory to becoming a physician. He also attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and established his first practice in that city. At the outbreak of the Civil War, and after the call was made for 300,000 troops, he laid aside his personal plans and ambitions, and enlisted as a hospital steward, Sept. 20, 1861, in the oath Illinois infantry. The following April he was appointed to the post of Assistant Surgeon, under command of Gen. Sherman, filling this position for two years with great credit, and soon afterward became Army Surgeon with the rank of Major. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, the title of Major in the regular army was conferred upon him, and he was assigned a position in the hospital at Savannah, Ga., and remained there until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge Aug. 2, 1 8 ">. He participated in sixteen hardfought battles, the most memorable being the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and later at Jackson, Miss., and Mission Ridge. Amid all those scenes of suffering and bloodshed he performed his painful duties valiantly, and remained firm amid scenes calculated to chill the bravest heart. He was Surgeon of the brigade that planted pontoon bridges almost under the feet of the enemy at Mission Ridge, where they crossed and captured the rebels. This was one of the most daring feats of the war; the Union troops were commanded by Gen. Giles A. Smith, and our subject stood by the side of this General when he was wounded by a gunshot, and at once removed the bullet from his back. May. Smith, through all these sixteen engagements, was neither wounded nor captured, although he experienced many narrow escapes.

At the close of the war, and after his discharge from the army, May. Smith came to Linn Township and took up a permanent residence upon the homestead where he now lives, and which lie bad owned previous to entering upon his military career. It embraces 120 acres, forty of which are valuable timber, and the balance highly improved and cultivated. Becoming deeply interested in agricultural pursuits, he abandoned the practice of medicine and surgery, attending strictly to the duties of the farm, and becoming highly successful in his undertakings. The tract which he owns was naturally very productive, and he has so.improved upon its first condition, that his grains and fruits are the finest in quality of any produced in that section. He is orderly and systematic in all his transactions, and the result is one of the most comfortable homesteads in the county, the above of ease and plenty.

May. Smith sought for his bride an Eastern lady, Miss Anna R. Field, who was born in Newport, N. H., Dec. 18, 1835. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been born one child, Ralph F., Aug. 18, 1871. They are members of the Universalist Church, and in politics he is an uncompromising Republican and a Prohibitionist.

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

JESSE II. SMITH, M. D.

The character of the individual is determined by his utilization of his opportunities, his employment of his talents and his fulfillment of his obligations to mankind. In all these particulars Dr. Jesse II. Smith measures up to the highest standard and his life is recognized as one of large usefulness in the county and state in which he has long made his home. His enterprise and adaptability in business, his loyalty and progressiveness in political circles and his broad humanitarianism and philanthropy have all indelibly engraved his name upon the pages of Iowa's annals. He is probably today the oldest president of a fire insurance company in the United States, having since 1869 occupied the position of chief executive officer of the Farmers Insurance Company.

He was born in Elkhart comity, Indiana, August 27, 1837, and is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Thomas) Smith, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and made stock-raising on an extensive scale one of the chief features of his business. In 1853 he came to Iowa, settling in College township, Linn comity. He purchased sixteen hundred acres of land in this county and continued to engage actively in agricultural pursuits until October, 1SS0, when he was called to his final rest, at the venerable age of eighty years. His wife died in 1870, at the age of sixty-nine years.

Dr. Jesse H. Smith, the sixth in order of birth in his father's family of six children, spent his youthful days to the age of fifteen years in his native county and then accompanied his parents to Linn county, Iowa. His youth was passed on a farm and his preliminary education was acquired in the usual log school houses of the pioneer days. He became one of the first students in Western College in the town of Western. Linn county, spending two years in study there, and His more specifically literary course constituted a broad foundation upon which to build his professional knowledge. In January, 1858, he began reading medicine under the direction of Drs. Milligan and Taylor and subsequently attended lectures at Rush Medical College at Chicago, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1860. He first began practice in Cedar Rapids, where he continued for over sixteen years, being much of that time in partnership with Dr. Mansfield, one of the first physicians of this city.

Since his retirement from the'field of professional service he has devoted his time largely to the interests of the Farmers Insurance Company, of which he is the president. He became identified with this company when it was a mutual company. It is now the oldest corporation in Linn county. In 1SCS it was organized as a joint stock company and in January, 1869. Dr. Smith was elected to the presidency and has since guided its destinies. Its affairs were in a deplorable condition when he assumed its management. He closely studied the situation and bent his energies to administrative direction and executive control. A change was soon noticeable in the business of the company and its growth has been continuous under his management to the present time, until it is today recognized as one of the soundest companies of the kind in the United States. He has made it what it claims to be, a protective insurance company and not an organization for the benefit of a few at the sacrifice of the many as various insurance companies have been. Its business policy has always been such as would bear the closest scrutiny, no fictitious methods of business being employed, its course at all times conforming to the old and time tried maxim that honesty is the best policy. Into other fields Dr. Smith has extended his efforts and is now one of the directors and the vice president of the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway & Light Company. Moreover, he has extensive farming interests, owning over eight hundred acres of valuable land. He now gives his attention largely to his farm, which is the old homestead of his father and which is one of the valuable agricultural properties of this part of the state.

Dr. Smith has been recognized as one of the republican leaders of Linn county and belongs to that class of men who have sought to make the party stand for principle and not for the furtherance of the interests of certain individuals. While high political honors have been conferred upon him. he has never placed personal ambition or aggrandizement before the party welfare or the interests of the commonwealth. In 1875 he was elected mayor of Cedar Rapids for a two years' term and again filled the office in 1878 and 1879. In 188S he was elected state senator from Linn county for a term of four years, which covered an important epoch in the history of the state, during which legislation of far reaching moment, was enacted. In 1900 he was a delegate at large from Iowa to the republican national convention which nominated McKinley and Roosevelt at Philadelphia.

Dr. Smith has been married twice. In 1862 he wedded Lucy Henderson, a daughter of John W. Henderson. She died October 20, 1863, leaving one child, Edward H.. who was born March 20, 1863. In 1866 he wedded Mary E. Ward, of Illinois, who died in April. 1904, leaving a son, Isaac B., who was born January 20, 1868.

Dr. Smith is an Episcopalian in religious faith and a Mason in his fraternal relations. Both organizations find him a worthy exponent of their principles and in the latter he has attained high rank, having reached the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in the consistory, while of the Mystic Shrine he is also a member. He has been president of the Masonic Temple Association since its organization and was one of the organizers of St. Luke's Hospital Association in 1887, since which time he has been its president. His deep interest in this is manifest in his active and helpful cooperation and his untiring efforts to promote its growth and extend the field of its usefulness. He belongs to the Cedar Rapids Country Club and to the Commercial Club and his sincere cordiality has made him a favorite in the prominent social circles in which he has always moved.

For the past twenty years he has spent his winters in the south or in California and he has traveled extensively throughout the entire country. There is no more splendid example of the self-made man in Linn county than Dr. Smith, his career being a striking example of what may be accomplished by one who must look to self-reliance, industry and perseverance for success. The possibilities of high position afforded in the United States to industry and fidelity were never better illustrated than in the ease of Dr. Smith. In his youth he worked for whatever the world was to bring him of enjoyment or honors, he lias reached the evening of life not only possessed of wealth and past political honors but also of exalted social position and of a mind enriched by travel and by constant mingling with men and women of the highest breeding, education and accomplishments. He is today possessed of almost everything that men cover as of value and in the midst of his success he has found time for the fine things that our self-made men are so phone to overlook — aid in money and personal attention to schools and churches, beneficence to charitable institutions and the artistic adornment of his home and of his city.

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

JEROME B. SMITH, a gentleman in the prime of life and an enterprising citizen of College Township, actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, is residing on the homestead which was established by his father in the.ally settlement of the Territory of Iowa. His farm consists of 140 acres, occupying a fine location on section 1 I. Mr. Smith is a native of this township, his birth taking place Feb. 15, 1851. His father. Phillip Smith, was born in Champaign County. Ohio, whence his parents removed to Elkhart County. Ind., where he was reared and received an excellent common-scl 1 education.

Phillip Smith and Miss Nancy Smith (no relative) were married, and continued to reside in Indiana, carrying on the pursuit of agriculture. Mrs. Smith came from New York State to Indiana when a young woman. After the birth of one child they removed further west and established themselves in I. inn County, in September, 1851. They selected a location in College Township, entered Government land, and the present homestead is the site of the original purchase. The land was unimproved, and the father set himself energetically to work to bring it to a good state of cultivation. He built a log house and later erected the present residence. He was a man of great industry and force of character, and soon became prominent in his community, and greatly respected tor his sterling worth. He was liberal in his impulses, always ready to assist the needy, and took a generous interest in the welfare of his friends and neighbors. His decease occurred May 6, 1881, when he was nearly fifty-six years old. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, whose principles he conscientiously endorsed and advocated. He held the minor offices of his township, and was a man whose opinion was sought for and highly valued. The mother is still living, and resides with her son, our subject, who is the eldest but one of his mother's seven children. The family circle consisted of three sons and four daughters, one of the latter being deceased. The two youngest are yet unmarried.

Jerome B. Smith remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred in this township, Aug. 28, 1873, the lady of his choice being Mi-- Nettie LeGore. a native of Indiana, born in Elkhart County, (let. 11, 1851. She came with her parents to Iowa in 1854, and they settled in Putnam Township, where the mother died in 1880. The father is still living at an advanced age, a good old man, greatly beloved by his friends and neighbors..Mrs. Smith received a most careful training under the parental roof, and became well educated. She is an excellent wife and mother, looking well to the ways of her household, and carefully training her three children. Their names are, Norman E., Robert and Phillip L.

[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.

GEORGE W. SMITH

The death of George W. Smith, which occurred on the 4th of Mai-ch, 1910, came as a distinct loss to Linn county. It is a difficult task to offer a fitting memorial to the life and accomplishments of a man of his character — remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom and in his indomitable perseverance, his strong individuality, and yet one whose entire life was an open scroll, inviting the closest scrutiny.

He was born in Boone county, Indiana, on the 19th of September, 1853, and a year later was brought by his parents, John and Martha (Pickerill) Smith, to Linn county, the family home being established on a farm of eighty acres in College township. The father, who was of English ancestry, was a native of Ohio but at an early day removed to Boone county. Indiana, where his life was spent until his removal to Linn county, Iowa, in 1854. His wife, who was born November 16, 1835, died in this county on the 5th of February, 1861, when but twenty-six years of age. The father afterward married Ruth Pickerill, a sister of his first wife, who still survives, now residing in Cedar Rapids. One of his sons, J. C. Smith, is a resident of College township, while a daughter. Mrs. Julia E. Booth, is also a resident of that township. _ The father, as above stated, began life in Linn county on eighty acres of land but through hard work and the able assistance of his sons he accumulated wealth, owning at the time of his death about seven hundred and sixty acres of very valuable land in this section of the state. He was a highly respected citizen, who lived to be seventy-four years of age, dying in 1902.

George W. Smith spent the period of his early boyhood and youth on the home farm in College township and at the usual age began his studies in the public schools. The knowledge there acquired was supplemented by a course in "Western College, at that time located at "Western, Iowa, and in a commercial college at Burlington.

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

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

Robert Smith was reared in touch the usual manner of farmer boys of his days, though lie was probably given better educational advantages, attending first the district schools of Indiana, and later the high school at Sturgis, Michigan. He was nineteen years of age when iiis father died and he then took charge of the farm, remaining on the old homestead until the fall of 1854, when he came to Iowa in a covered wagon, commonly called a prairie schooner, and traveled over forty counties in this ' state. In company with his brother he purchased one hundred and sixty-four acres of land in Will county, Iowa, which property is now owned by his brother's widow, and he spent one summer at that place. He then returned to Indiana, and later went to Floyd county, Iiiwa. where in partnership with his l)other he liought four hundred and eighty acres of land, but has since disposed of the same. Mr. Smith remained a resident of Indiana, however, until the fall of 1858, when he came to Linn county, Iowa, and purchased two hundred acres of land on sections 25, 35 and 36, Linn township, which he still owns. He also has forty acres of timber land in that township, and one hundred and nineteen acres on section 9, Franklin township, which is just outside the corporate 1 mits of Mt. Vernon and only a half mile from the center of the town. He removed tc Franklin township in 1863, and in 1899 he built upon his place an elegant residence, which is supplied with all modem improvements, and furnished in a most approved manner. Mr. Smith has engaged in buying, feeding and selling stock, but is now practically living retired, while his son, James 1\ manager the farm.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN M. SMITH.

For many years this gentleman has been engaged in the real estate business in Jones, Cedar and Linn counties and other parts of the state, and is accounted one of its most honorable and upright business men. He v.as born in Lycoming county, Pennsyhania, Decemlier 30. 1826. a son of James and Matilda (Shade) Smith. The father was a native of Lebanon county, that state, where he spent almost his entire life in Lycoming county, dying there at the age of eighty-four years. He was a shoemaker b\- trade and followed that occupation for a great many years, but afterward engaged in farming. In politics he was a Democrat, but never cared for official honors, though he was a public-spirited man, who advocated all that tended to public improvement. The mother of our subject died in 1852, at the age of fifty-three years, shortly after visiting her sons in Iowa. She was born near Lock Haven, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, anfl remained there until her marriage. She was a devout member of the Methodist church and a constant attendant upon its services. In her family were eight children of whom dur subject is the only survivor, although all grew to man and womanhood with the exception of one who died in infancy One son, James C. Smith, was a Methodist minister and was presiding elder in St. Louis for three years, his death occm-ring at the age of forty-two. He was well known in Linn county and throughout this state.

John M. Smith was reared near his birthplace and attended the cnmniDn schools of his native state. The knowledge there acquired was greatly supplemented by home study as he was a great over of books. From early boyhood he has made his own way in the world, and during his youth learned the clothing business, but has never followed the same since attaining man's estate. He first came to Iowa in 1849. but after a year spent in this state returned to Pennsylvania, and did not locate permanently here until 1852. For a time he made his home in Maquoketa, Jackson county, where he followed \-various occupations, and then removed to Wyoming, Jones county, erecting the first house at that place, but as the railroad was not built through there as soon as he expected, he sold out, and after a short time spent in Anamosa, came to Marioti, Linn county, where he lived until 1892, when he removed to Kenwood Park — his present home. Here he purchased a number of village lots, which he has since sold, but still has large property interests in Marion, Kenwood and elsewhere in this and other states. Throughout his active business life he has been a real estate dealer, Iniying and selling not only city property, but also farm lands. He has built a commodious and pleasant residence for himself on First avenue, Kenwood Park.

On the 18th of October, 1851, at Freeport, Pennsylvania, Mr. Smith wedded Miss Mary J. Morehead, a native of Butler county, that state, and a daughter of J. M. and Anna (Graham) Morehead, and granddaughter of David and Martha (Stanley) Morehead, who spent their entire lives in Pennsylvania. The father, who was engaged in general farming, died at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother passed away at the age of fort-nine. Mrs. Smith is the oldest of their eight children, six of whom are still living. Her maternal grandfather, Joseph Graham, was a native of Scotland, and at an early day came to the United States and located in Pennsylvania, which was then but sparsely settled. There he spent the remainder of his life. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Ralston.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born two children: Sarah M., born in Maquoketa, Iowa, in 1852, died at the age of nine years. Oscar M., born in Wyoming, Jones county, July 17, 1857, is traveling and is now in Montana. He married F.mnia Bennett, a native of Mechanicsville, Iowa, who died at that place April 21, 1896. She was a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, a devoted wife and a kind and loving mother, and was early loved by all who knew her on account of her strength of character and Christian spirit. She is therefore greatly missed by a large circle of friends. She left one child, J Bennett, who was born October 6, 1888, at Marion, and now makes his home with his grandparents, Ir. and Mrs. Smith.

Our subject gives his political support to the Republican party, and is now serving as councilman of the village of Kenwood Park, which position he has filled with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents for several years. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and religiously holds membership in the Methodist church, while his wife is a member of the Episcopal church.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY E. SMITH.

Henr\- E. Smith, the well-known and efficient secretary of the Star Club of Cedar Rapids, was born in Ontario county, New York, on the 15th of June, 1838. His father, Daniel M. Smith, was a native of Vermont and a worthy representative of the sturdy Green Mountain boys, his ancestors being pioneers of that state. When a young man he removed to Ontario county, New York, where he married Miss Luciuda Hickox, a native of that county. There he carried on farming for some years, but in 1856 came west and took up his residence in Linn county, Iowa, purchasing a farm near Cedar Rapids, where he followed his chosen calling throughout the remainder of his life, doing there in 1875, at the ripe old age of seventy years. His wife survived him two years and passed away at the home of our subject in 1877.

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Ontario county. New York, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years. He was also interested in stock raising, making a specialty of sheep. In 1868 he purchased a farm two and one-half miles west of Cedar Rapids and in the spring of 1869 he returned and resumed farming here. To the further improvement and cultivation of his land he devoted his energies until the death of his wife, since which lime he has made his home in Cedar Rapids.

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

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE V. SMITH. The name of this gentleman is favorably known in railroad circles. He is general foreman of the B., C. R. & N. I\. R. shops at Cedar Rapids, which position he tills with great credit and to the satisfaction of all concerned. He was born in Scotland. Nov. 1 1. 1832. His parents were Charles and Margaret (Young) smith, natives of the same country, and possessing all those qualities for which the Scotch people are so eminently noted. Charles Smith, the father, was a roof-slater, of which business Ikmad.- a specialty and which he followed-fully through life. The subject of this-ketch only remained at home until he was nine and a half years old. He then went to England and shipped aboard a vessel as cabin-boy, and since that time he has seen mole of the world than many a man whose opportunities were perhaps greater, but who failed to improve them. At the age of thirteen years he had visited Bombay in the East Indies, and followed trading on the coast along the Mediterranean and Black Seas. He seemed to be a natural born sailor, ami the sea possessed an attraction for him which was irresistible. He became proficient in those aits which the successful seaman must acquire, and at an early age was given the position of second mate on his vessel. He followed the sea for a number of Aear-. was shipwrecked three times, and on one occasion, when returning from Russia, his vessel was caught among the Icebergs and sprang a leak. It was heavily loaded, became water-logged, and those on board were three months reaching port. During this time the crew were put on-hurt rations, and they suffered greatly from hunger and exposure. He was also shipwrecked at Yarmouth Roads, on the coast of England, during a heavy gale, the vessel running on the sand and breaking in two. They were obliged to take to the boats, and after superhuman exertion all hands fortunately reached the shore in safety. The third shipwreck was on the Jersey coast of France. Their vessel was loaded with a general cargo for Havre de Grace. They were on a dangerous coast, and came into collision with a smuggler, a French ligger. The vessel sprang a leak, they ran her ashore and the crew were picked up by lifeboats.

During the experiences above related Mr. Smith came in contact with many nationalities, particularly his near neighbors, the English, and he states thai this people were peculiarly kind in their treatment of the unfortunate. He sailed on an English vessel, and became greatly attached to the English people, their manner of living and their general characteristics. He finally became dissatisfied with his experience upon the ocean, and resolved to settle down upon terra firma and to emigrate to America, and accordingly, in 1849, embarked once more on the sea and crossed over to the New World. After a time he found himself in Paterson, N..1., among the Rodgers Locomotive Works, and became employed there for three years: thence he went to Susquehanna Village, on the York & Erie Railroad, where he was employed as a journeyman at first, and afterward as gang boss, lie resolved to see all of the United states that he could, and after this engagement had terminated he proceeded to Chicago, and there went into the machine shops of P. W. Gates, finally becoming assistant fk fireman. He remained there two and a half years, then went to Galena and became gang boss in the machine shops of the Calena & Chicago Union Railroad, now consolidated with the Northwestern. This was in 1856. He remained there two years, and was then stationed as foreman of the round-house, which position he occupied until 1872. He had now accumulated some means, and this year established a machine-shop and facing-mill in the city of Chicagk

The opportunity of combining business with pleasure now presented itself, and he crossed the ocean into England and Scotland, in the interest of a Philadelphia firm who were operating as manufacturers of Max batting. He returned from this mission, which he had negotiated successfully, and then went upon a similar errand for a Chicago firm. Upon his return from this trip he brought back with him $65,000 worth of linen machinery, which he put into a mill at Rochelle, Ill., and entering upon the manufacture of this commodity, brought it to successful operation, and then proceeded to Cedar Rapids, where he became occupied at his old employment as gang bos; and was stationed in the round-house of the P., C. R. & N. Co. Their present shops were erected in that year (1876), and since their completion he has had charge of them. He has ninety-eight men under his immediate supervision, and 400 men around the shops.

During these wanderings he had selected one little spot which he called home, and a partner to share in his joys and sorrows. In 185G he was married to Miss Mary.Melville, like himself a native of Scotland, and a daughter of John and Mary (Thompson) Melville, natives of the same country, the father manager of a linen manufactory there for twenty-one years. Of this union two children were born: Melville J., who married Miss Sonora Kisler, and is the father of a son bearing his own name, and Wilhelmina, now Mrs. E. A. Charles. Her husband is a machinist, and is employed by the P., C. R. <fc N. R. li. They have two sons. Edgar and Fred.

Unlike many who have seen so much of the world and wandered over so much of land and sea, Mr. Smith has been industrious and frugal, and has accumulated considerable property. He is the possessor of an orange grove in Florida, and other land on the Peninsula. He also has a good residence in Cedar Rapids, which is located on P avenue at No. 171. In. this city he has two houses and three lots, and may properly be considered one of the solid and substantial men of the community. lie is Republican in political belief and principles, is a member of the Masonic fraternity in good standing, arid a regular attendant of the Episcopal Church, to the support of which he contributes liberally and cheerfully.

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

JAMES P. SMITH

James P. Smith is numbered among the substantial farmers of Boulder township, where he owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres, located on section 15. He was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in 1846, of the marriage of David and Margaret (Patten) Smith, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. The mother died when her son was but two years of age, after which the father came to Iowa, settling on a tract of rented land in Jackson county and making it his home for eight years. At the end of that time he found himself in possession of a capital which justified his purchase of land and he accordingly bought one hundred and twenty acres in Boulder township, Linn county. He improved and cultivated his land for many years but spent his last days in retirement.

James P. Smith of this review was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools. When thirty years of age he began farming on his own account, having purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Clay county, Iowa. After seven years he disposed of that land and invested his money in one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Boulder township. This is one of the best improved farms in Linn county, due to the efforts and labors of Mr. Smith. He is carrying on a successful business as a general farmer and stock-raiser, handling some very fine grades of animals.

On the 24th of December, 1876, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Juliet Geheringer, a daughter of Louise and Catherine (Drexler) Geheringer, who were natives of Germany and upon their emigration to the new world located on a farm in Jackson township, Linn county. Mr. Geheringer was employed at farm labor for several years but eventually became the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land in Boulder township, thereon he and his wife made their home for many years but they are now living retired in Prairieburg. Mrs. Smith is the only child born to her parents, while Mr. Smith is one of a family of seven. Their marriage has likewise been blessed with seven children, as follows: Cora, the wife of Louis Pelard; Louis: Minnie and Maud, twins, the former the wife of W. Burnsides, and the latter the wife of Fred Jousie; Ida, the wife of Seward Smith; Lester; and Ruby.

Mr. Smith is a republican in politics and for ten years served on the school board but otherwise has filled no public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his private business affairs. He and his wife are devoted members of the Presbyterian church. They are people of the highest respectability and worth and fully merit the high esteem in which they are held.

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

SAMUEL G. SMITH

Samuel G. Smith who, since 1901 has lived retired, was formerly identified with general agricultural pursuits and is still the owner of two hundred and fifty-one acres of good land on section 23, Clinton township. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in McKean county on the 16th of June, 1838, and is a son of Samuel and Catharine Smith. The father was born in Big Island, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and was engaged in merchant tailoring and in farming while in the east. In 1851 he came to the middle west, settling in Linn county, Iowa, his home being in Rapids township, where he carried on farming for more than three decades. His was a busy and useful life and he continued in active connection with general agricultural interests until 1885 when he retired to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. His death occurred in 1896.

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

MANVILLE P. SMITH

Manville P. Smith is now living practically retired in Marion, having gained a handsome competence through the careful conduct of agricultural interests in this state. His birth occurred in Jones county, Iowa, his parents being B. A. and Irene (Reed) Smith, who were natives of West Virginia and Ohio respectively, the former born in 1833 and the latter in 1832. In the year 1849 they removed westward to Iowa, settling in Jones county, where the father entered a quarter section of land, making his home thereon throughout the remainder of his life. Until 1875 he lived in a log house which he had erected on his arrival but in that year replaced. the primitive structure by a more commodious dwelling. He likewise brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and improvement and made the farm a most valuable and productive one. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company G, Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry and served three years and four months, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain and other important engagements. He was also with Sherman on the march to the sea. He passed away in 1890 in the faith of the Baptist church, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Olin, Iowa.

Following his demise Mrs. Smith left the farm and removed to Olin, where she resided until called to her final rest in 1906. She was also a devoted member of the Baptist church and was buried in the Olin cemetery. Her family numbered eight children, as follows: Commodore A., who is married and lives in Texas; Katherine, the wife of C. A. Coppess, of Olin, Jones county; Mary V., who is the wife of W. F. Giddings and resides in Hale, Iowa; Manville P., of this review; Tilly I., the wife of W. II. Walston, of Dallas county, Iowa; Frank W., who is married and makes his home in Colorado; Ina B., the wife of W. F. Freeman, of Olin, Jones county; and Ila V., who is the wife of J. Stokes and resides in Iowa City, Iowa.

Manville P. Smith remained at home until he had reached man's estate and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, operating a rented tract of land for four years. On the expiration of that period he purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Marshall county, Iowa, resided thereon for five years and then leased the property'to a tenant for one year, removing to Jones county. There he purchased one hundred and seventy acres of land and in 1895 also traded his Marshall county farm for one in Jones county, where his land holdings therefore aggregated three hundred and fifteen acres. After living in Jones county for eight years he sold his property and went, to Cedar county, Iowa, where in 1902 he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land. He likewise bought property to the value of one thousand dollars in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which he later sold at a good profit. In Cedar county he made his home for five years and in 1907 came to Linn county, purchasing eighty acres of land within the corporation limits of Marion. After residing thereon for three years, however, he bought city residence property and is now living practically retired, having won a handsome competence through his successful operations as a dealer in Iowa land. In connection with the tilling of the soil he devoted considerable attention to the feeding of stock and this branch of his business likewise proved very profitable. lie still owns the eighty-acre farm within the city limits of Marion and is interested in the dairy business which is there conducted by his son-in-law, Chester Knight.

On the ist of January, 1885, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Emma B. Clay, a daughter of D. A. and Lovisa N. (Root) Clay, who are residents of Hale, Jones county, Iowa. The father was born in London, England, in 18-12, while the mother's birth occurred in Connecticut in 1849. Until his health began to fail in recent years, Mr. Clay took an active part in public affairs and served as trustee of his township and as a member of the county board of supervisors. His children were ten in number, as follows: Mrs. Smith; Josephine, the wife of E. Sawyer, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Ida E., the wife of James Ballon, of Cedar county; Oren E., who is married and resides in Spokane, Washington; Ozias, deceased; one who died in infancy; D. L., who is married and makes his home at Hartley, O'Brien county, Iowa; Lyda, who gave her hand in marriage to J. W. Fowlie and resides in Cedar county; Bertha I., the wife of L. A. Pattent, of Yorkshire, Iowa; and Leona M., at home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born four children, namely: Clarence E., whose birth occurred on the 12th of March, 18S6, and who passed away in September of the same year; Clayton P., at home, who is a high school graduate; Laverne E., who is the wife of Chester Knight and resides in this county* on her father's farm, and Bert A., likewise at home.

In politics Mr. Smith has ever been a stanch republican yet has never sought office as a reward for his party fealty. He belongs to the Sons of Veterans and is officially connected with the camp at Marion as consul. His wife is conductor of the Woman's Relief Corps, the ladies' auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic. Both are devoted and consistent members of the Christian church and take an active interest in its work. Mr. Smith has gained the warm esteem of all with whom he has come contact because of his upright and honorable life and also by reason of the straightforward methods he has ever followed in his business career.

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