Frederick N. Smith

As printed in 1888

FREDERICK N. SMITH, a farmer residing on section 28, Washington Township, was born in Des Moines County, Iowa, Aug 28, 1850, and is the second son of A. J. and Jane (Westfall) Smith. The father was born in Virginia, and his parents were early settlers in Hancock County, Ind. When he was a young man he became a resident of Des Moines Count)', Iowa, when It was j'et a Territory. He made the journey from Indiana to this county with an ox-team, and had only $65 In money, with which he purchased fifty acres of land. He added to this until he owned 2.000 acres of fine land, which he divided, giving each of his children a farm. Mr. Smith was a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and he and his wife are still residing in Pleasant Grove Township, where they are highly esteemed as citizens.

On the 24th of Decemt)er, 1874, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Beck, of Pleasant Grove Township, who is a daughter of Conrad Beck, a large land owner. Three children have been born of their union, two of whom are living — William G. and Justice C. Webster died at the age of two and one-h.alf years. The first land which Mr. Smith purchased consisted of an elglitj- acre tract on section 28, in Washington Township, which comprises part of his present farm, although

-'►4h- he has added to it until lie now has 400 acres in Washington Township, and about 100 acres in Pleasant Grove Township. His home is one of the most pleasantly situated in the county, and everything upon his land shows him to be a thrifty, systematic and energetic farmer. He has recently had a new barn erected at a cost of about $2,000, and his cattle and horses are all thoroughbred and high grade. Since he was fifteen years old Mr..Smith has bought and shipped stuck, in which he has been quite successful, and now makes a specialty of the Polled Angus cattle. He is a member of the Townshi) Board, having held that office for five years, and is active in making out the township and county tickets. Politically". he is a supporter of the Democratic partly, and has been a Mason since his twenty-first year. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Des Moines County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county .. (1888). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.