The Smith Families of Winneshiek County, Iowa

WILLIAM H. SMITH.

William H. Smith, after a long and successful agricultural career, lives retired in Decorah, enjoying in well earned rest a comfortable competence. For many years he was engaged actively in farming a four hundred acre tract of land in Bluffton township, being one of the important factors in the agricultural development of Winneshiek county. A native of England, he was born on March 21, 1837, a son of William and Sarah (Hutton) Smith, both natives of the mother country. The father was a tailor by trade and passed away in his native land. In 1855 the mother and six of her children crossed the Atlantic to the United States and, coming to Winneshiek county, made their home with George, an elder brother of our subject, who had previously come to the United States in the late '40s, taking up a large tract of government land in Canoe township, this county. Subsequently the mother purchased forty acres of land, her son William H. taking charge and remaining with her until her demise in 1862.

He is the youngest of seven children, the remainder all having passed away. He received his education in England, coming to the United States when eighteen years of age and locating in this county, where he later engaged in farming. He purchased a small farm and as his means increased extended its borders until he today owns four hundred valuable acres of land on sections 13 and 14, Bluffton township. Mr. Smith successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits, specializing in stock-raising and, employing modern and up-to-date methods, derived a substantial annual income from his property. Obstacles had to be overcome in the beginning, but by endurance and industry he succeeded in the development of a valuable farm upon which can be found high-class improvements and modern and up-to-date equipment. In 1901 Mr. Smith was enabled to retire from active farm work and he has since resided in Decorah, renting out his land. He is one of the highly esteemed citizens of that city and has become connected with its financial life as a stockholder in the Citizens Savings Bank. He has never actively participated in politics but is a strong republican and gave his undivided support to President Taft. He attends the Episcopal church, in the work of which he takes an active interest. His six brothers and sisters, all now deceased were, George, Sarah, Clara, Rebecca, Mathilda and Ann. Mr. Smith is highly respected and esteemed in Decorah, where he is widely and favorably known for his many good qualities of mind and character.

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

HORACE S. SMITH.

Horace S. Smith is numbered among the native sons of Winneshiek county, for his birth occurred in Bluffton township on the 4th of January, 1865. His parents were George and Harriet M. (Shear) Smith. The father, who was born in England, August n, 1823, was the first of his family to come to the United States, but later sent for his widowed mother, his five sisters and his one brother, who is William H. Smith, now a resident of Decorah. It was in 1855 that George Smith crossed the Atlantic to the United States, and making his way into the interior of the country became a pioneer settler of Winneshiek county. He was a mason by trade and followed that pursuit before coming to the middle west and to some extent after his arrival here. However, in this county he became the owner of a good tract of land, which he converted into a valuable and productive farm. It was in this county that he met and married Harriet M. Shear, a native of New York, who in early girlhood came with her parents to Iowa. They began their domestic life on a farm in Bluffton township, which continued to be their home until they were called to their final rest. In their family were five children: Alva, living in Washington; Josephine, who died in childhood; Horace S.; Elmer A., living in Canoe township; and Eugene L., who occupies the old home place in Bluftton township.

Horace S. Smith was reared on the old homestead in Bluffton township and there resided until he purchased his present place in 1896. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and he received thorough training in farm work under the direction of his father. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty-one acres of good land on sections 32 and Canoe township, and he has made some improvements here. His farm presents a neat and attractive appearance and the fields annually respond with golden harvests to his care and labor.

In 1890 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Hattie M. Brickner, who was born on what is now her husband's farm, February 1, 1868, a daughter of Henry and Julia (Shank) Brickner. Her father is deceased and her mother resides in Canoe township. Mr. Smith was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife on the 20th of May, 1910. He has an adopted son, Louie B. Smith. Always a farmer, his life has been quietly passed, yet his record is one of activity and usefulness, and he is numbered among the leading agriculturists of his part of the county. His place is known as the Wayside Stock Farm, which name indicates one of the features of his business, for he is extensively and successfully engaged in stock-raising and is an excellent judge of stock.

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

PETER J. SMITH.

Among the successful and progressive farmers of Winneshiek county is 1111111- bered Peter J. Smith, who owns and operates a fine property of one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, Washington township. He is a native of Iowa, born in Fayette county, November 15, 1870, and is a son of John and Margaret (Schatz) Smith, natives of Prussia, Germany, who came to America in 1856, locating first in Wisconsin. After two years they moved to Fayette county, Iowa, and in 1880 came to Winneshiek county, the father buying two hundred and eighty acres of land on section 33, Washington township. This property he made a model farm, giving his entire attention to its improvement and development until his death, which occurred in 1898, his wife surviving him until 1907. To their union were born twelve children: Catherine, who married Christopher Xepper, of Gregory, South Dakota; Zita, the widow of John Henke. of Fayette county; Philip and Fred, who reside in Fayette county; Annie, the wife of Hen Gardner, of the same county; Barbara, the widow of C. C. ( grimes, of Lelo, South Dakota; Mary, who has passed away; Frances, the wife of John Schleier, of Winneshiek county; Peter J., of this review; John, deceased; Clemence, of Fayette county; and Frank, a resident of Fort Atkinson.

Peter J. Smith accompanied his parents to Winneshiek count\- in 1880, being at that time ten years of age, and he completed an education begun in his native section in the district schools. He remained with his father until he was twenty-six years of age and then began his independent career, renting one hundred and twenty acres of land in Fayette county. Upon this he resided for two years, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section t,, Washington township, Winneshiek county, upon which he has since made his home. There is an attractive dwelling upon the property, the other improvements are substantial and modern and the entire farm is divided into fields of convenient size by means of fences. Mr. Smith engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and both branches of his activities are profitable and important.

On the 15th of November, 1899, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Hein and they have become the parents of five children, Nora, Irvin, Herbert, Louis and Bertha. Mr. Smith is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and politically gives his allegiance to the democratic party, taking an active and public-spirited interest in community affairs, although never seeking office for himself. He early learned that industry is the basis of all success and he has labored diligently and earnestly throughout the years to gain a comfortable competency and to win for himself a creditable position in agricultural circles. The many sterling qualities of his character have commended him to the confidence and good-will of all and he has an extensive circle of friends in the community where practically his entire life has been spent.

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