The Smith Families of Washington County, Iowa

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

,7 A'/iX iUBLlC LIBRARY

11IS'R)RV ( W ASIllXC.TOX COL'X'J'V 211

Wesley Smith spent the first twelve years of his life in the state of his nativity and then came with his parents to Iowa, being reared here amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life. Xo event <if special importance occurred to vary the routine of the farm and through the fall and winter months he attended the district schools, while at the time of the early spring planting he took his place in the fields and assisted in the cultivation and harvesting of the crops as the seasons passed. When a young man he thought to find other pursuits more congenial than agriculture and at the age of nineteen he began learning the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a few years. In this way he made a little capital and, in connection with his brother Marion, he purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Dutch Creek township. About three years later he purchased his brother's interest and remained the sole owner of the property for about five or six years, when he disposed of it. His own investment brought him one hundred and sixty acres of land in Franklin township, to which at different times he added two eighty acre tracts. This place he still owns and also another farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres in the same township. He continued to reside with his family in Franklin township until 1907, when he removed to the county seat, purchasing a beautiful home at No. 606 West Washington street. As the years had gone by he had persistently and energetically pursued the farm work, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and using all of the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors. His farm ever presented a neat and thrifty appearance and in spring gave good promise of golden harvests, to be garnered in the autumn. His unfaltering industry, his careful management and his judicious sales at length brought him affluence and in possession of a substantial competence he is now living retired.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Smith was married on the 27th of December, 1869, to Miss Marie W. Wells, a native of this county and a daughter of William W. and Rebecca (Jackson) Wells. The marriage of Mr. and [rs. Smith has been blessed with one son, Sidney S., who wedded Viola McCaleb and is operating the home farm. Mr. Smith is an earnest democrat with faith in the principles of the party and has served for several terms as township trustee and as school director. Both he and his wife occupy a prominent position in social circles, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have come in contact.

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

T. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, Dutch Creek Township, is a native li\ of Fayette County, Ind., born Dec. 6, 1831. His father, Jacob W. Smith, was born in Connecticut, and, while in his youth, moved with his father, Dr. Samuel Smith, and his mother. Bertha (Weed) Smith, to New York, and from that State, when he was a young man, he, moved with his parents to the wild woods of Fayette County, Ind., between 1818 and 1820. Soon after arriving in Fayette County, he became acquainted with, and in a few years married Miss Margaret Ronald, the mother of the subject of our sketch. She was born on the Connecticut River, in Vermont. When a young woman, her father, George Ronald, a native of Scotland, and her mother, Betsy (Smith) Ronald, a native of New Hampshire, moved to Fayette County, Ind., arriving there the same year as the Smith family. These two families were among the first settlers of that county — the pioneers who inaugurated the change from dense woodland into cultivated fields. Jacob W. Smith and Margaret Ronald being married, of their union sprang twelve children, of whom two died in infancy. The others, given in the order of their birth, are as follows: Mary Jane, wife of Elijah Hamilton, now living in Fayette County, Ind., near the old home farm; Calista, widow of R. H. Sprague, living in Keota, Iowa; George R., farmer, living in Osborne County', Kan.; Loretta died in girlhood; A. J., the subject of this sketch; Edwin, a stonemason, living in Johnson County, Kan.; Rosanna, wife of W. J. Sturgeon, farmer, living in Washington, Iowa; Nelson, farmer, living in Wright County, Iowa; Rhoda, wife of Aaron Schofield, retired farmer, living in

Cottonwood County, Minn.; and Austin, carpenter and wagon-maker, living in Pawnee County, Neb.

On Sept. 10, 1856, A. J. Smith was married to Miss Mary M. Milieu, who was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, on the 4th day of January, 1835. Her father, Capt. John Milieu, followed the sea in his younger years, but afterward retired from business and settled in Ireland, where he remained until he died, Jan. 13, 1865, at the age of ninety. Her mother, Jane (Louden) Millen, died when she was quite small, and she, on the 3d of August, 1847, set sail from Londonderry for America, in company with her uncle, James Louden, who settled in Fayette County, Ind., and with whom she afterward resided. Here she became acquainted with and married our subject, A. - -J-.-vSmith.. Shortly after their marriage, in the fall t)f;1856- they: moved to Louisa County, Iowa, in 'eotttpany 'with- Mr. Smith's parents, crossing the Mississippi at Burlington. They settled in Louisa County, four miles above Wapello and two miles.'fiFom the SlisSissippi and Iowa Rivers. There they remained until February, 1865, when they moved to their present home in Washington County. Mr. Smith first bought eighty acres of land, for part of which he went into debt. He has been continually engaged in farming, giving it his whole time and attention. By his own unaided industry he has from time to time added to the original eighty until he owns 200 acres, under cultivation, and fifteen acres of timber lank. This farm is among the best improved in the county; house, bank barn, out-buildings and fences all being in prime condition. The father and mother of Mr. Smith moved to Washington County in the same year in which he came, residing here until their death, the father dying in February, 1870. Had he lived until March, he would have been seventy-one years old. The mother died July 30, 1887, aged eighty-five.

There have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children: J. M., born Jan. 4, 1858; Alva L.. born June 18, 1860, died Aug. 16, 1874; George R., born Aug. 1, 18G2, died Aug. 4, 1864; Margaret M., born Sept. 8, 1864, died July 30, 1874; D. Everett, born Nov. 24, 1867; Mary J., born

Feb. 24, 1870, died Aug. 23, 1880. Of these six children only two are still living-,.T. M., who is attending the home farm, and 1). K., wIki is attending college at Monniniitii, Ill.

On the 30tii of May, 1887, Mary 1). Swan, a niece of Mis. J. Smith, arrived at their home in this county from County Londonderry, Ireland, where she was born.Inno 13. 1870. Hereafter she will reside with them and Ikregarded as one of the family. Mr. Smith and family are nienil)ers of the I'nited Presliyterian Church, and have a high social standing. He is a thorough-going Republican, and participate actively in county, State and national politics. As a citizen he is greatly esteemed, and in all moral work he is ever in the advance.

A lithographic view of Mr. Smith's residence is shown in this connection.

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

EZRA H. SMITH.

Ezra H. Smith, the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of finely improved and valuable land in Washington county, was born in Cedar township, this county, on the farm where he now resides, his natal day being February 8, 1855. The parents, Thomas M. and Rebecca (Huntley) Smith, were natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut respectively. They came to this county in 1852, the father entering a portion of the farm now owned by Ezra Smith. As the years passed by he brought the place under a high state of cultivation and improvement and continued to make his home thereon until 1883, when he took up his above in the city of Washington, there passing away the following year. His widow was called to her final rest on the lath of March, 1909, when she had attained the ripe old age of eighty-five years. Their remains lie buried in the Pleasant Plain cemetery. Of their family of eight children Ezra H. Smith, of this review, is the only surviving member, Harriet H.. Esther W' Alexander, Eunice S., Mary J., Eucy E. and Malissa H. all having passed away.

Ezra H. Smith enjoyed the advantages of a high school education and continued under the parental roof until he reached his majority. He then rented a part of the homestead farm for a few years and later purchased the same, his place now comprising two hundred and forty acres on section 13, Cedar township. In addition to this he also owns eighty acres in Jackson township, which is a part of the home farm, and forty acres in English River township, his holdings thus embracing three hundred and sixty acres of highly cultivated and valuable land. His property is all tiled and improved with substantial and attractive buildings, while the home place on section 13, Cedar township, is one of the model farms of the twentieth century, its neat and thrifty appearance indicating the supervision of a practical and progressive owner. He is energetic and enterprising in his work and as a result of his labors he has met with a gratifying measure of prosperity, thus being classed with the substantial agriculturists of his native county. His wife owns a third interest in a tract of two hundred and five acres in Jackson township.

On the 26th of April, 1882, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia M. Canier, whose birth occurred in Jackson township, Washington county, Iowa, in 1856, her parents being David and Sarah E. (Clark)

Canier, natives of Ohio. In 1856 they came to Washington county, locating in Jackson township, where they purchased land and continued to reside until the time of their demise, David Canier passing away in September, 1889, while his wife's death occurred in September, 1884. Their remains were interred in Pleasant Plain cemetery. In their family were three children, namely: Mrs. Smith, who for six terms prior to her marriage was a successful school teacher; Orlanda S., of Longbeach, California; and Walter H., who is a resident of Boone, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born four children, as follows: Earl L., whose birth occurred February 1, 1883, and who is on the home farm; one who died in infancy; Walter E., born June 26, 1889, who is at home; and Paul R., who was born April 28, 1894, and died on the 19th of March, 1896.

Mr. Smith is a stanch democrat in his political views and has served on the school board for several years. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are highly esteemed, occupying an enviable position in social circles where true worth and intelligence serve as passports into good society. Throughout their entire lives, now covering more than a half century, they have lived in this county and have long been numbered among its most prosperous, respected and worthy residents.

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

FRED HUGH SMITH.

Fred Hugh Smith, treasurer of the George H. Paul Company, in which connection he sustains important relations to extensive real-estate operations, contributing in substantial measure to the development of the west, was born in Washington, Iowa, April 23, 1874. His parents were Andrew Graham and Anna Josephine (Peck) Smith. The father was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which was also the birthplace of the mother, who is now residing in Washington. They became the parents of five children, three daughters and two sons: Jennie, now the wife of John B. McCai-tney a traveling salesman living in Washington; Fred Hugh, of this review: Kate, a resident of Washington; Edward L., who is cashier of the State Bank of Kemmerer, Wyoming; and Gertrude, a teacher in the Washington public schools.

Fred Hugh Smith is indebted to the public school system of his native city for the educational privileges which he enjoyed and which qualified him

HISTORY ol- W ASIIIXCTOX COUNTY 159 for life's practical ami responsible duties. lie left school at the age of fifteen years, having graduated with the class of 1890, and made his initial step in the business world in the Western Union Telegraph office in this city, learning the business. He was with the Rock Island and also with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company as operator for five years, at the end of which time he accepted a clerical position in the Washington National Bank, serving in that capacity until October, 1908. In the meantime he had been promoted to the position of assistant cashier. In 1908 he entered the real-estate firm <if the George H. Paul Company, incorporated, as treasurer, and is still holding that position. As the manager of its financial interests he displays marked ability and executive force and is regarded as one of the foremost representatives of real-estate dealing in this part of the country. He possesses strong and determined purpose, enabling him to carefully execute well defined plans.

In December, 1895, - Smith was united in marriage to Miss Bertha M. Simmons, who was born in the state of New York in 1875 'i"' s a daughter of Charles R. and jeannette (Smith) Simmons. Her father was a railroad engineer and died in 1896, but the mother still survives and is now living with Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Two children have been born unto this marriage: Katherine Jeannette, who was„born August 11, 1898; and Charles Maurice, born June 30, igoC'"!Jie jjarents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr: 'JJHth'-a'isQ. belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to the Knights of Pythiaslodge: being an exemplary representative of those organizations. His p61itical allegiance is given to the republican party and he served as city treasurer of Washington for five years but otherwise has nrit held office nor has he-desired political preferment. He is never remiss in his duties of citizenship and has given substantial aid and cooperation to many movements for the public good but rather than hold office he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and his ability and enterprise have carried him into important relations and gained for him a place among the leading men of the community.

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

REV. ULYSSES SIMPSON SMITH.

Rev. Ulysses Simpson Smith, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church at Washington, was born in Davis county, Iowa, February 2, 1869. The family of which he is a representative was established in New England at an early day. His grandfather, Jonathan Smith, was a native of New Hampshire and in early life removed to Maine, where he was married. Subsequently he became a resident of Pennsylvania, afterward went to West Virginia and about 1864 came to Iowa, settling in Davis county, where his life's labors were ended in death in 1866, when he had reached the age of seventy-three years. His widow, Mrs. Eliza Smith, survived him for some months.

They were the parents of thirteen children including Samuel Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania and was reared in West Virginia, having been taken by his parents to that state in his boyhood days. He was nineteen years of age when he enlisted as a member of Company D, Sixth Virginia Volunteer Infantry, serving as a private for four years. After the war he came to Iowa in 1865, locating in Davis county, where he purchased a farm. Following his father's death he bought the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead of two hundred and forty acres and upon that place reared his family. In 1882 he went to Oregon but after a period of five years spent on the coast returned and again resumed farming here. In 1902, however, he disposed of his property in Davis county and removed to Lane county, Oregon, where both he and his wife are now living. They, too, are member? of the Methodist church and are worthy Christian people, interested in the growth and promotion of the denomination. The mother of the Rev. Smith bore the maiden name of Mary K. Smith and was a native of Kentucky. Her parents were James W. and Margaret (Orr) Smith, who came to Iowa in 1859. Her father, a native of Kentucky, died in 1885 at the age of sixty-five years, but the mother is now living in Bloomfield, Iowa. Their daughter, Mrs. Mary K. Smith, was one of a family of eight children and by her marriage has become the mother of fourteen children, ten sons and four daughters: Charles W.; Ulysses S.; James W.; Jonathan A., who died at the age of three years; Daisy M., the wife of Arthur G. Pirtle; Robert A.; Frances J., the wife of Thomas Small; Martha, the wife of Rufus Hopkins; Samuel W.; Retta: Paul; Leon and Loren, twins: and George, who died at the age of eighteen months.

In the county of his nativity the Rev. U. S. Smith spent the first thirteen years of his life and after attending the district schools was for two years a student in the Southern Iowa Normal. Later he attended the Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, from which he was graduated in the year 1900. Having qualified for the ministry he began preaching in 1892, joining the Iowa conference, after which he was assigned to the pastorate of the church of his denomination at Montrose, Iowa. Later he labored successively at Batavia, West Burlington, Eddyville, Pulaski, What Cheer, Montezuma and then came to Washington in the fall of 1907. The church here has a membership of nine hundred and fifty and Rev. Smith is a progressive minister of wide study and strong intellectuality who is leaving his impress upon the various lines of church work through his enthusiastic, zealous and consecrated devotion to the cause.

On the 17th of August, 1892, occurred the marriage of the Rev. Mr. Smith and Miss Eva M. Patterson who was born in Davis county, Iowa, November 2, 1871, and is a daughter of Zachary and Miranda (McKee) Patterson, the former a native of Lee county, Iowa, and the latter of Decatiir county, Indiana. They are now residing near Bloomfield in Davis county, Iowa, where Mr. Patterson follows the occupation of farming. He was a son of Jehu and Frances (Taylor) Patterson, while his wife is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wallace) McKee. Mrs. Patterson was a cousin of General Lew Wallace and a descendant of David Wallace, who came to this country from Scotland, which was also the early home of the McKee family. Mrs. Smith's paternal grandfather was from Tennessee, while the Taylor family to which his wife belonged, was from Virginia. The maternal grandfather was born in Ripley county, Indiana, and the grandmother in Miami county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson had four sons and one daughter: Eva M., now Mrs. Smith; Lewis T.; Hugh H.; Ernest H.; and Roy D. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of two children: Hazel, born October ii, 1900; and [name withheld], born November 8, 1907.

Mrs. Smith is of much assistance to her husband in the church work and both are bending every energy for the upbuilding of the cause and the extension of Christian influences in the community) Of studious habits he reads widely and thinks broadly, recognizes the influences which are bearing upon the world's work and strives untiringly to make Christianity the foremost factor in civilization and progress.

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