George W. Smith

As printed in 1907

GEORGE W. SMITH.

George A\. Smith owns and operates a farm which is pleasantly situated near Coon Rapids, on section 13, Orange township, and has been his home for more than thirty-seven years. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, January 30, 1837, a son of Charles Smith, who was born in the state of Pennsylvania. Upon leaving the Keystone state the father located in Dayton, Ohio, where he engaged in the tobacco business, but later removed to Cincinnati, where he continued in business. Following his marriage in this state to Miss Mary A. Ernest, who was born in Virginia, he located on a farm near Springfield, Ohio, and there carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1855. when, with his family consisting of wife and several children, he took up his above in Jefferson county, Iowa, but after a year there spent continued his journey to Guthrie count\ locating on a farm in Orange township.

Both the parents are now deceased, the mother having departed this life in 1867, while the father, who survived for about three years, passed away in Guthrie Center in 1870. Their family numbered thirteen children, of whom one brother of our subject also resides in Guthrie county.

George W. Smith was a lad of nine years at the time of the removal from the Buckeye state to Iowa, and his education, which had been begun in the schools of his native state, was continued in the district schools of Guthrie county. He was early trained to the duties of the home farm and as his age and strength permitted he rendered valuable assistance to his father in the operation of the homestead property, thereby gaining a knowledge of agricultural pursuits which in later years has proven of benefit to him in carrying on business on his own account. He remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-five years, when, in response to the country's call for aid, he enlisted in defense of the Union cause, becoming a member of Company I, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. During his service at the front he took part in many important engagements, including those of Jenkins Ferry, Little Rock, Arkansas, Devil's Bluff and Helena, Arkansas. He served for two years as a musician and was promoted from the ranks to the position of corporal of his regiment. He was never wounded and made a most creditable record, being mustered out at the end of three years' service, on the 13th of August, 1865, at New Orleans. He was ever faithful in the performance of every duty that devolved upon him, proving himself a most valiant and loyal defender of the Union cause.

Upon his return from the war Mr. Smith located in Carroll county, Iowa, where he remained for five years, and on the expiration of that period he once more returned to Orange township, Guthrie county, and this has continued to be his home to the present time. He is here successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits on a well-improved tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, lying on section 13, Orange township, this property having been acquired through his own well-directed efforts and capable management. He has placed his land under a good state of cultivation and each year harvests abundant crops, the sale of which adds materially to his annual income.

It was prior to his enlistment in the army that Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Squires, on the loth of November, 1 86 1. She is a daughter of Richard Squires, who located in Highland township, this county, in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have become the parents of seven children, but three of the number are now deceased. The record is as follows: George, Jr., deceased; Flora T., the wife of Herman Fell, a resident farmer of Seely township; Richard, a farmer of Orange township; Frederick, who carries on farming in Highland township; Gale, deceased; Thomas Ira, who has also departed this life; and Pearl, who is successfully engaged in teaching in the district schools.

Mr. Smith and his wife are faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and his political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party. He served as justice of the peace for over twenty years, his decisions ever being characterized by fairness and impartiality. He has served as township clerk, school treasurer and school director and in all his public service has manifested the same interest that he has exercised in carrying on his private business affairs. He keeps in touch with his old army comrades through membership in Perry Wright post. No. 188, G.

As printed in Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.