Carey J. Smith

As printed in 1883

CAREY J. SMITH, born in Shelby county, Ind., July 22, 1850, but for the most part raised in Iowa. Was married in Iowa in Aug., 1875, to Sarah M. Irons, who was born in Ind., in 1856. The names of the children are Bettie, a beautiful child, not living; and one not named at the writing of this sketch. Mr. Smith came to Jasper county in 1875, and engaged in the mercantile business in the town of Smithfiled, and has been remarkably successful. He bought a half interest in his uncle's store for $250, paying $115 in cash and gave his note for the balance. Mr. William McQuiston bought out David Smith's interest, after five years, for $1,600. Mr. Smith continued the business with Mr. McQuiston for a year and then sold out to Mr. McQuiston for $1,500. In 1881 Mr. Smith began business for himself with a capital of $1,500, and in a recent invoice, without additional capital stock, his business showed that there had been a growth in two years to $5,000. Besides the mercantile business he has done a large business in agricultural implements, having sold the past season, including his mercantile business, about $23,000. He keeps a novel set of books, giving total cafh, total sales, total credits, and collections, enabling him at the end of the week, month, and year to strike a balance in his business. Mr. Smith is a young man and full of business energy, and a good manager and calculator. He is the present postmaster of Smithfield, sending out some 10,000 letters during the last year, besides being the proprietor of the city scales. The subject of this sketch, like most young men of this age, is full of enterprise and business thrift and will rank among the most energetic and prosperous men of the community\

WILLIAM A. SOUTHARD was born in Jasper county Dec. 10, 1853. With the exception of a brief period during the late Rebellion, he has constantly remained within the boundaries of the county, and has thereby been enabled to say "this is my home, my own dear native soil." He was married May 1, 1874, to Eliza Taylor, who was born in Benton county. Mo., June 2, 1857. The children who have blessed their household are George W., who died in Oct., 1875, Charles S., and Pearly M. The home farm comprises forty-five acres in section 5, and eighty-three acres in section 9, township 28, range 33. This farm borders on the skirts of the timber, and is situated within one mile of Carl Junction. Twenty acres of wheat the last season averaged twenty-five bushels to the acre, and twelve acres of corn averaged forty bushels. There is also a young orchard on the farm. His father was the unfortunate victim of Livingstone's bushwhackers; at least he was never seen after their raid. ' His mother died at Ft. Scott in 1859. Mr. Southard and wife are both members of the Christian Church, in good and regular standing, and are people of enterprise.

As printed in The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominent (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.