Charles K. Smith

As printed in 1904

CHAKLES K. SMITH.

Charles K. Smith, deceased, whose life record is inseparably interwoven with the early history of Sioux City, took a very active part in the development and upbuilding of Woe 1- bury county and especially of the city during the early period of its progress. He was born in St. Johns, New York, February 12, 1835. His father, Moses M. Smith, married a Miss Clock and they resided in the Empire state. Their son Charles Avas educated in the schools of Gouverneur, NeAv York, and when nineteen years of age he entered upon his business career as a salesman in the employ of Elwanger & Barry, at Eochester, New York. The west, however, attracted him and in 1856 he made his way to Sioux City. He then went to Niobrara, Nebraska, and held the town site that winter. In the spring of 1857 he was appointed postmaster of Sioux City and occupied the first postoffice here, succeeding C. K. Cook. Hitherto the mail had been distributed from a store or place otherwise than a regular postoffice. Mr. Smith was also the first stage agent and first express agent and he had a stock of hardware and tinware. After his retirement from the postoffice on the close of President Buchanan's administration he engaged in the hardware trade. In 1870 he built the St. Elmo Hotel, which he conducted for three years and then sold out. He afterward engaged in farming for one year and then removed to Merrill, where he purchased grain for three years and conducted a general store. He next resided at Lemars, where he engaged in general merchandising for three years and on his return to Sioux City he began traveling for William T. Allen, of Chicago. Two years later he established a grocery store, which he conducted for two years and was then state oil inspector under Inspector Dunn. His next position was that of desk sergeant at the police station and he continued to act in that capacity up to the time of his death, which occurred February 22, 1901, when he was sixty-six years of age.

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

Unitarian church and also the Masonic fraternity. He always gave his political allegiance to the Democratic party and he held some of the city offices, being called to positions of public trust by his fellow townsmen who recognized his deep interest in public affairs and his loyalty to the general good. He was mayor of Sioux City in the earlier days and has also been county treasurer. Everything that tertained to the advancement of community interests elicited his attention and usually received his stalwart support and co-operation. He was extremely familiar with the history of Sioux City from the days of its early growth down to the period of later progress and prosperity, and was justly numbered among its honored pioneer residents.

As printed in Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa (1904). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.