The Smith Families of Muscatine County, Iowa

JOHN SMITH, the third settler of Goshen Township, now residing on section 33, was born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1822, and was the fifth in a family of eight children born to Jarret and Elizabeth (Evitt) Smith, who were natives of Ireland, born in County Armanagh. In 1815 they emigrated to this country, and after reaching its shores took up their residence in Canada, where they remained one year. At the expiration of that time they removed to New York, where they resided for two years, and then went to Pennsylvania, making their home in that State for six years. In 1852 they continued their journey to Muscatine County, Iowa, locating in Wapsinonoc Township, where the father engaged in farm ing until his death in 1877, at the age of eighty-five years. After the death of her husband, although quite an old lady. Mrs. Smith made a trip to California. She died in this county in 1887, at the

.1 very advanced age of ninety-seven years. Mr. Smith supported the Democratic party, politically, but was never a politician.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and in the district schools of Licking County, Ohio, received his education. He there began life for himself as a farmer, and in 1846 was united in marriage with Catherine Davis, who was born in Morgan County, and is a daughter of Isaac and Mary (McLean) Davis, who were also natives of the Buckeye State. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Morgan County. His death occurred in 1848, and Mrs. Davis departed this life in 1876. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm, and resided in Ohio until 1849, when they removed to Muscatine County, Iowa, locating upon the farm which still continues to be their home. Purchasing forty acres of raw prairie land, upon which were no improvements, Mr. Smith began life in this county. He rented a house into which the family moved until a home could be erected, and he at once began the cultivation and improvement of the tract which he had purchased. As time passed he bought another forty acres, later purchased 1 20 acres, after ward an 80-acre tract, and again he made a fifth purchase, this time becoming the owner of forty acres, making an aggregate of 320 acres. This land is now under a good state of cultivation, and com prices one of the best farms in the community. Many ornamental and useful improvements have been made, and everything about the place denotes that the owner is a man of progressive ideas, thrift and enterprise. He carries on general farm ing, and also gives considerable attention to the raising of stock, making a specialty of buying and shipping cattle. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican, having supported that party since its organization. He has held various offices of public trust in the township, and is now serving as Road Commissioner.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith eight children have been born, seven of whom are living: Martin, who is married and resides in Pike Township; William, who is married and lives in Dakota; Sophronia, wife of Rev. McGowdy, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now in Dakota; Mary, wife of W. E. Whitney, a jeweler; John, who died in 1866, at the age of ten years; Rowena, now Mrs. Ranshaw, who resides in Pike Township; Davis, who is married and also resides in Pike Township; and Rhoda, the youngest, who is now the wife of L. C. Hadley, and resides in Dakota. Mr. Smith was the third permanent settler of Goshen Township, having arrived in this community when the county was almost in its primitive state, when the smoke of the Indian wigwams had scarcely blown away, or the deer startled from its lair. He endured all the trials and privations incident to pioneer life, and has aided greatly in the work of transformation which has been continually carried forward until this county now holds rank with any- in Iowa. He has made liberal donations to the church and schools, has taken an active part in every good cause, and is one of the prominent men of the township.

ONAT1IAN MAXSON is a well-known citi _ zen of West Liberty. He is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, born May 31, 1833, and is of Scotch descent. The tradition of the Maxson family is that three brothers of that name emigrated from Scotland prior to the Revolutionary War, Jonathan Maxson, the grandfather of our subject, being one of the three. He was born in 1758. Though reared a Quaker, he served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, thus helping to secure the independence of our common country. He was married in New Jersey, and at a very early day emigrated to Pennsylvania, and subsequently removed to Ohio, locating in what afterward became known as Harrison County, where he subsequently died at a ripe old age. His wife came to Iowa with her son William, and has since died. They reared a family of five children, William, the father of our subject, being fourth in order of birth.

William Maxson, who was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 27, 1806, was taken by his parents to Ohio in infancy, and there grew to manhood, receiving his education in the common schools of Harrison County, but trained to hard work and to make the best use of his opportunities. About 1832 he was united in marriage with Delilah Bolon, a native of Virginia, but who went to Harrison County, Ohio, with her parents at an early day. Three children were born to them in Ohio: Jonathan, our subject; Helen K. and Thaddeus W., who are both engaged in farming in Springdale Township, Cedar Co., Iowa.

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

JOHN SMITH, far.. Sec. 33; P. 0. West Liberty; son of Gerat and Elizabeth Smith; owns 290 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; born March 17, 1823, in Licking Co., Ohio. Married Catharine Davis, daughter of Isaac and Mary Davis, May 7, 1846; she was born Feb. 3, 1824, in Morgan Co., Ohio; commenced keeping house in Morgan Co., and, in the fall of 1849, came to Muscatine Co. and entered the forty, upon which he still lives, from the Government. Have seven children — Martin, born March 16, 1847; Wm. D., March 8, 1849; Sophronia, Feb. 4, 1852; Mary, Nov. 2, 1854; Rhoena, May 13, 1855; Davis, March 8, 1857; Rhoda, Nov. 14, 1863; lost one son — John, born March 5, 1850, and died Oct. 16, 1860. Republican.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

S. H. SMITH, M. D., Nichol Station; owns real estate in town of the value of $2,000; born Oct. 25, 1819, in Windham Co., Vt.; in 1845, emigrated to Bradford Co., Penn., and commenced the study of medicine under an uncle, Dr. N..Smith, and graduated at the McClintock Medical College of Philadelphia in 1847; the following year, removed to Steuben Co., N. Y., where he purchased some real estate and laid out the village of Caton; followed his profession there till 1870; came to Muscatine,

Iowa, and in the spring of 1871, came to Nichol Station; erected the first store building in the place, and has continued the practice of his profession. Married Misa Emeline S. Putnam Oct. 29, 1841; she was born Nov. 16, 1821, in Vermont; have four children living — Samuel H., Jr., Florence A., Emma and Charles F.; lost one soe — Henry P., who was a member of Co. A, of the 107th N. Y. V. I., and died at Harper's Ferry, Va., Oct. 13, 1862; his son Charles F. is now engaged in the drug business here. Republican.

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

S. H. SMITH, Jr.

S. H. Smith, Jr., a well known citizen of Muscatine county, who for fourteen years past has resided at Nichols, is a native of Halifax, Vennont, born November i6, 1841. He is a son of Dr. S. H. and Emeline S. (Putnam) Smith, both born in Windham county, Vermont, the mother being a descendant of General Israel Putnam. They were married in 1840 and five years later removed to Steuben county. New York, where they continued until 1870, when they came to Muscatine county, Iowa, locating permanently at Nichols in 1871. The father built the second house in the town and was proprietor of a drug store, of which his son later took charge. The father devoted his attention to the practice of medicine from 1845 until 1902, when he retired. He departed this life January 2" 1908, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years, and the mother was called away in 1903.

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

HENRY G. SMITH, an early settler residing on section 27, Bloomington Township, was born in Chenango County, N. Y., in 1825* His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812. His parents, Nathaniel P. and Bathsheba (Collins) Smith, were also born in the Empire State, and of their ten children six are now living: Henry G., of this sketch; Harriet, now the wife of Mr. Hemingway, resides at Smyrna, N. Y.; Susanna, now Mrs. Northrop, resides in the same city; Mary Hannah, now Mrs. Jaques, is living in Brookfield, N. Y.; Charles is located at Smyrna, N. Y.; George is also a resident of Smyrna. John died in New York City in 1866. The father was a farmer by occupation, and resided in the Empire State until his death, which occurred in 1880, at the ripe old age of eighty-five years. His wife departed this life in 1860, at the age of sixty years.

Our subject was reared to farm life, but being naturally a mechanic he followed various occupations in that line. He worked at the trade of a carpenter for some years, and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where for three years he had charge of a large coopering establishment, and also engaged in brush-making. Leaving that cityT for the West, in 1851 he came to Iowa, and took up his residence in Muscatine, where he again engaged in brush making, which he carried on for some time, when he began upholstering and wood-carving, which vocations he followed until 1868, when he left the city to engage in horticultural pursuits. He purchased fifteen acres of land covered with hazel brush and scrub oak, for which he paid $80 per acre, and set out small fruits of all kinds. He has since added three acres to his original purchase, which, with the improvements, cost $300 per acre, and deals quite extensively in small fruits.

His farm is pleasantly situated about two and a half miles northwest of the Muscatine court-house, and is one of the best improved in the county. He has erected a fine brick residence, built a good barn and made other extensive improvements, which indicates taste, as well as thrift and enterprise.

In 1854 Mr. Smith returned to New York, where in August of that year he was united in marriage with Sarah Jane Hunt, a native of the Empire State, and a daughter of Isaac and Sophia (Arnold) Hunt.

Her father was born in Lansingburg, and her mother in Galway, that State. He was an expressman, his route being from Lansingburg to Troy.

His death occurred May 19, 1870. at the age of sixty-two years. Mrs. Hunt is still living, and re sides in her native State. Her grandfather Rose was a baker in the War of the Revolution. Of the family of which Mrs. Smith was a member, one sister and four brothers are yet living: Sophia, wife of David Gregg, of Waterford, N. Y.; Jesse, also a resident of that State; Enoch, who lives at Lansino-- burg; George and Charley, who both reside at Troy, N. Y.

After his marriage Mr. Smith returned to Muscatine with his young bride, there making his home until 1868, when he removed to the farm on section 27, Bloomington Township, where he still makes his home. To this worthy couple have been born six children, four of whom are living: George died at the age of nine months; Carrie died in 1861, when only six weeks old; Charley is married - - - - - - and resides in Hodgeman County, Kan.; Cbockley is married and resides in Muscatine, where he is engaged in the grocery business; Clarkson is single and is a ship-builder of San Francisco, Cal.; Florty, residing at home, is a young man of more than ordinary ability. He is a natural brickmason, quick to learn, and shows considerable tact in that line of business. He has frequently won at different times when prizes were offered, and bids fair to make life a success.

In his political sentiments Mr. Smith is a Democrat, having voted with that party throughout his life, and is one of the earnest supporters of its principles as advocated by the prominent leaders. He can trace his ancestry back to the time when members of the family aided in the formation of that party, to which he gives unswerving allegiance. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Muscatine, and are held in high regard throughout Muscatine County, where they have resided for almost thirty-eight years.

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

R. SMITH, M. D., a leading physician residing in Cone, Iowa, is a native of the Hawkeye State, and was born in Burlington, Feb. 24, 1840. He is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, his material grand father, Mr. Middlebrook, having been a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. He was a man of wealth, and was a slave-holder in Connecticut at the time of his death. Many of his descendants aro people of prominence and wealth in the Eastern States, where they are engaged in manufacturing. 1 1 is paternal grandparents, Harvey and Susan (Booth) Smith, were of the old Puritan stock, and resided in Connecticut.

The parents of our subject, James H. and Jane (Middlebrook) Smith, came to Iowa in 1836, set thing in Ft. Madison, where the father was employed on the paper now known as the Burlington IlctwJe- Eye, in which employment he remained for several years. In the meantime he purchased a farm in Lee County, and also bought a claim, which had been entered by another man. In 1839 he removed to Burlington, where our subject was born, and later the home was gladdened by the presence of a daughter, Mary E., born Dec. 25, 1846, who is now living with her mother in Lee County. With his family he later removed to Connecticut, where he resided for fifteen years, engaged in editing a paper, after which he returned to Iowa in 1856, settling: on the farm which he had purchased in Lee County, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1877, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife is still living on the farm in Lee County.

Our subject has received a liberal education. When a boy he attended the Mills School at New Haven, Conn., and in after years took a varied course of study at Denmark, under the direction of IIenrjr K. Edson, who is now professor in the college at Grinnell, Iowa. Wishing to study medicine, in the winter of 1859-60 he attended the medical college in Keokuk, which was then the Iowa State University, but did not graduate from that institution. Leaving school he embarked in the drug business at West Point, which lie prosecuted for three years, and then attended the American Eclectic Medical College, then known as the Physio-Eclectic College, being graduated in the class of ’76. For four years previous to the time of his attendance at that college, he was engaged in the drug business at Nichols Station, and since com pieting his studies has prosecuted his profession for ten years in Cone, building up an extensive and lucrative practice.

On the lath of November, 1867, Dr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Theresa Salmon, a daughter of Adolphus and Anna M. (Sagner) Sal mon, who were the parents of six children: Theresa, wife of our subject; Gustavus, who is living in Beatrice, Neb.; Edward J., an attorney-at-law at Newton, Iowa; Albert A., whose home is in Albuquerque, N. M.; Theodore M., Professor of Music and Principal of the musical department of the Pittsburgh Female College; Adolphus H., who died at his home in Newton, Iowa, in 1887. By the union of Dr. and Mrs. Smith three children have been born: Lilian E., born Aug. 5, 1869, now attending the Pittsburgh Female College and Conservatory of Music, will graduate on the 15th of June, 1889, after which she will accept a chair in the college which has been offered her, and also expects to complete her studies on the pipe organ; Daisy T., born June 11, 1871; and Gustavus A., Jan. 15, 1874, are both at home. Dr. and Mrs. Smith, and also their daughters, are members of the Presbyterian Church. In early life he was a Republican, and voted for Lincoln, but in later years has cast his ballot with the Democratic party. He is numbered among the respected citizens of Muscatine County, and holds an enviable place in the medical world.

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

JOHN L. SMITH.

The agricultural development of the country has been due to the energy and enterprise of men like John L. Smith, now living in West Liberty, who has won his way to success by patient application and an undaunted faith in nature's resources. He has ever since his earliest recollections been connected with agricultural interests, and the lessons he learned under his father he has applied with gratifying success.

He was born in Goshen township, January 27, 1858, the son of Lak and Elizabeth (Gladstone) Smith. The father was a native of Scotland and went to Cincinnati, Ohio, at seventeen years of age. In 1868 he took up his residence in Goshen township, Muscatine county, Iowa, but died in Nebraska in 1904. The mother was born in Ireland and came with her parents to America, locating in Cincinnati, where she was married to Mr. Smith. She was called to her reward in 1890. There were seven children in the family: Jeanette, now the wife of Alonzo Keysberry, of Reinbeck, Iowa; Parbara, now Mrs. J. H. Wiker, of Dalton, Nebraska; Lizzie, now the wife of John Shanker, of Biglow, Kansas; John L., the subject of this review; Mary, the wife of J. H. Davis, of Valisca, Iowa; Agnes, now Mrs. J. E. Dennis, of Hastings, Nebraska; and E. J., who is filling a government position at Chicago. Illinois.

John L. Smith grew up under the favoring influences of a good home and received his early education in the common schools. He assisted his father upon the farm and so continued until twenty-four years of age, when he began farming for himself in Wapsinonoc township, subsequently removing to Pike township. In 1909 he took up his residence in West Liberty as a farmer and stock-raiser and has met with a goodly measure of success, being now the owner of a well improved farm near Austin, Minnesota, and of a fine residence in West Liberty.

In 1880 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Wales, and by this union four children have been born: Elvvood W., Edward J., Ray G. and Florence, all of whom are at home. Politically, Mr. Smith is identified with the republican party, but he makes use of his right as an American citizen to vote for any man of solid attainments and good character regardless of party. Socially, he is a valued member of the Odd Fellows lodge at West Liberty. He is recognized as absolutely trustworthy and has qualified by natural talents and experience to bring to a successful issue any undertaking that may engage his attention. In his intercourse with others he has exercised those genial qualities that win friendship and sincere regard.

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

ELLIS D. SMITH.

Through the years of an active business life Ellis D. Smith has demonstrated his ability as a man of affairs and his worth as a citizen and today he occupies an enviable position as one of the substantial men of Muscatine county. The success he has attained is a striking example of the elTect of an energetic life governed by worthy ambition. He was born in Meigs county, Ohio, April 12, 1 85 1, a son of John S. and Rachel (Beeson) Smith. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and removed with his parents to Ohio when a boy and thence to Indiana. He came to Iowa in 1854 and for twenty-seven years cultivated a farm near Centerdale, Cedar county. In 1881 he retired to West Liberty, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1892. The mother passed away when the subject of this review was in his infancy. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely: Richard B. and John, both of California; Anna B., now of Iowa City; Mary, of Mediapolis, Iowa; and Ellis D., the subject of this review.

Educated in the district schools of Cedar county, Ellis D. Smith remained at the parental home until he arrived at the age of twenty-four years, assistinghis father and becoming thoroughly acquainted with all the work pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. He began on his own account upon a farm four miles north of West Liberty and continued there for twenty-seven years, devoting iiis attention on quite an extensive scale to stock-feeding. Nine years ago he sold his place and moved to West Liberty, where he has since resided. He is the owner of eight hundred acres of land in Canada, at one time being in possession of six sections in that country. He also owns a handsome residence and a feed store in West Liberty.

In 1876 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Emmeline Fenstemaker and to them two children were born: Maude L., a graduate of the State University at Iowa City, and now engaged in teaching school; and Harold J., who married Miss Hazel Henderson and is engaged in the automobile business at West Liberty.

Mr. Smith from the time of reaching manhood has given his support to the republican party and sincerely believes that its principles are better adapted than those of any other party to advance the true interests of the state and nation. He is an earnest friend of education and while living on his farm served as secretary, treasurer and president of the school board at various times. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic lodge at West Liberty and in religious belief he and his wife give their adherence to the Unitarian church. Of him it may truly be said that he has achieved success through honorable means, never seeking to advance his personal interests to the injury of others. He has been intimately connected with the development of Muscatine county and many with whom he has come in contact will always have reason to remember him with gratitude.

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

WALTER I. SMITH.

Few residents of Wapsinonoc township deserve more credit for patient industry than does Walter I. Smith, whose name stands at the head of this review. By his undaunted perseverance he has acquired a competence, being now the owner of one of the valuable farms, of the county, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation. Born in Davis county, Iowa, June 23, 1864, he is the son of William and Melindy (Evans) Smith, both natives of Indiana. They were married in Iowa and the father engaged in farming in Davis county until 1890, when he disposed of his place and removed to Cedar county, purchasing a small tract upon which he lived until his demise in 1896. The mother made her home with her children until her death, which occurred in 1907. There were twelve children in their family, one of whom died in infancy, the others being Angeline; Albion; Frank; Lorilla, who died at the age of three years; Charley; Allen; Walter I.; Delia; Lilly; Arthur; and Millard.

As a member of a large family, Walter I. Smith performed his share in the duties about the house and also in the work of the fields. He attended the district school, where he was inducted into the rudiments of an education, which he has greatly widened by reading and a habit of close observation that has been one of his prominent traits ever since his boyhood. He continued at home until twenty-one years of age and then worked out by the month for six years. After his marriage he rented land for three years and, having acquired the necessary funds, he purchased eighty acres in Cedar county, which he cultivated for ten years and then sold at a good profit upon the investment. In 1901 he purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres upon which he now lives and has provided it with all the desirable modern improvements, greatly adding to its value. He cultivates the cereals and is also very successful as a stock raiser. He has worked hard and can look forward to rest from labor in later years, having provided himself with ample means by which he will be able to command the comforts and, if he so desires, the luxuries of life. Toi. n - 10

On the 25th of December, 1888, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Dora E. Shepherd, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Richard and Amanda (Ball) Shepherd, the former of whom was born in Newfoundland and the latter in Pennsylvania. The parents were married in Ohio, and in 1871 settled on a farm in Iowa which Mr. Shepherd disposed of in 1896, residing for a few years in Missouri. He and his wife are now living at Tipton, Iowa. He was a faithful soldier for the Union at the time of the Civil war and is a man of noble and generous traits that have greatly endeared him to many friends. There were two children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd: Dora E., now Mrs. Walter I. Smith; and William, of South Dakota. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been made happy by the arrival of four children: Earl, born October 2, 1889, who attended the high school at Downing, Iowa, and is now living at home; Hazel Pearl, born November 10, 1891, who attended the high school and also studied music, and is now married to Carl Crozer, living in Cedar county; Werda M., born November 2, 1898; and Vae O., born April 25, 1901.

Mrs. Smith is a lady of many excellent qualities who possessed the advantages of a high-school education in her early womanhood. She engaged successfully as a teacher previous to her marriage. Mr. Smith is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at West Liberty and is a firm believe in the fraternal principles of that order. He and his wife are connected with the Methodist church and politically he gives his adherence to the republican party, believing that in so doing he is advancing the best interests of the nation. He is a member of the school board and the local telephone company. He has won a position of independence financially by the well established principle of industry, and his career cannot fail to be a valuable incentive to young men who have the ambition to accomplish a noble purpose in life.

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