J. Frank Smith

As printed in 1914

J. FRANK SMITH.

Among Keokuk's honored dead should be mentioned J. Frank Smith, who was well known in Lee county as an attorney. With the practice of law he also combined the making of abstracts, and his professional and other connections made him widely known. He was born in Ohio on the 7th of October, 1848, a son of M. D. and Minerva (James) Smith. The father passed away while the family were still in Ohio and in the fall of 1857 ''"' mother came to Lee county, Iowa, with her family, accompanying her parents, who at that time emigrated westward and settled on a farm north of Keokuk. In 1858 they removed to the vicinity of Charleston and in 1864 a further removal was made to Keokuk.

J. Frank Smith attended the public schools in the different localities where the family resided, continuing his education in the grammar and high schools of Keokuk. He afterward clerked in a shoe store and subsequently turned his attention to the dry-goods trade, with which he was connected in the capacity of salesman. Thinking, however, to find professional pursuits more congenial, he took up the study of law, reading under the direction of Joseph G. Anderson, of the firm of Gilmore & Anderson. He started an abstract of titles business and it was subsequent to that time that he began reading law, knowing how valuable such a course would be in connection with his other interests and recognizing, too, the broad held open to the active members of the bar. It was in 1879 that he and a sister, Miss Nannie M. Smith, established an abstract business under the firm name of. F. & N. M. Smith, under which name the business has since been continued, although in 1908 J. Frank Smith retired, his sister remaining alone until joined by her nephew, Ralph B. Smith.

J. Frank Smith was an active republican, and his opinions carried weight in the local councils of the party. He served as township committeeman and did everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of republican interests. He was not connected with secret societies, but was a man of social nature who readily won friends and retained their high regard by reason of a well spent life. He attended the Congregational church, of which his wife was a member, and high and honorable principles guided him in every relation.

In October, 1879, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Buell, a daughter of Lyman W. and N. H. (Doolittle) Buell, and to them were born the following children: Ralph B.; Margaret A., who died in infancy; and Ruth E. The death of Mr. Smith occurred on the 30th of June, 1908, and his wife survived him for less than a year, passing away May 17, 1909. They were people of many good traits, so that they enjoyed the warm esteem of those who knew them, and a large circle of friends mourn their loss.

As printed in Story of Lee County, Iowa; (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.