Charles Alvord Smith

As printed in 1906

CHARLES ALVORD SMITH.

Charles Alvord Smith, who since 1852 has resided upon the farm in Wayne township which is still his place of residence, having entered the land from the government when it was a raw and unbroken tract, has now attained the venerable age of seventy-eight years and receives the respect that should ever be accorded one who has advanced far on life's journey and whose life has at all times been honorable and straightforward. His birth occurred in Lake county, Ohio, on February 29, 1828. His paternal grandfather, Sylvester Smith, was born in New England and the father, Sylvester Smith, Jr., was a native of Massachusetts, as was his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lucretia Woodworth. She was a daughter of James Woodworth, also a native of New England. The marriage of the parents of our subject was celebrated in the old Bay state but soon afterward they left Massachusetts for Lake county, Ohio, where the father owned and operated a farm, residing there until 1839. He then journeyed by wagon to Wellsville, where he took passage on an Ohio river boat and went down the Ohio and up the Mississippi river and on to Oquawka, Ihinois. From that point he proceeded to Monmouth, IHinois, where he rented a farm, residing thereon until 1842, which year witnessed his arrival in Wayne township, Henry county, Iowa. Here he bought wild prairie land in the northern part of the township about a mile from the Washington county line. He located about a mile from timber at a day when the settlers supposed that the prairie would largely be worthless, the claims being first made in the timber regions. He secured eighty acres of land and at once began converting it into a productive farm, thereon making his home up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1864, when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife lived to be more than eighty years of age and was called to her final rest about 1870.

Charles Alvord Smith began his education in the public schools of Ohio, continued his studies to some extent in Illinois and afterward became a student in Iowa. In the intervals of attending school he worked in the fields and early became familiar with the best methods of caring for the crops. He continued at home until twenty-four years of age, when he removed to a farm of eighty Company G, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged, on the 2nd of June, 1865. He was captured on the 27th of July, 1864, and was confined in Andersonville prison for six weeks, after which he was transferred to Florence, South Carolina, where he was held as a prisoner of war for about four months. His bravery and loyalty were above question, for he was ever prompt and faithful in the duties assigned him and he participated in many hotly contested engagements. When the war was over he returned to his home and his attention has since been given to farming. On the 19th of August, 1852, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Young, who was born in the acres on section 10, Wayne township. This was government land wliich he purchased at a dollar and a quarter per acre. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made on the place, but the breaking plow was soon at work and within a short space of time fields of wheat and corn showed that the efforts of the agriculturists were being crowned with success. He has added to his place as his financial resources have increased until he now owns a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in one body. He has put all of the improvements upon the property, building a good house in 1852. That building was afterward destroyed by fire and was replaced by his present residence. Mr. Smith continued the active work of the farm until August zy, 1862, when he put aside all business and personal considerations and responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in southern part of Ohio, a daughter of Patrick Young, a native of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of five children: Alice, the wife of August Lundquist; Alva died at the age of about fourteen years; Irene A., the wife of William Lambling; Charles L., who lives in Sioux City, Iowa: and Arthur G., who is a professor in the Iowa State ini-

6o4 versity. The wife and mother died in January, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had traveled Hfe's journey together for more than forty years and many pleasures as well as sorrows had entered into their married life and although there were hardships there was also prosperity to lighten these. In community interests Mr. Smith has ever taken a deep and helpful part and has co-operated in many movements that have resulted beneficially to the township and county. He votes with the Republican party, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day and for many years he was township clerk. He has long been a devoted member of the Congregational church and his service as deacon has covered an extended period. He is today one of thy honored pioneer settlers of the county, having witnessed almost its entire growth and progress and has contributed in substantial measure to its agricultural development.

The death of Mr. Smith occurred at the home on the 17th of Xovember. 1905.

As printed in Biographical review of Henry County, Iowa, containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past .. (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.