Ezra H. Smith

As printed in 1909

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 History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.