James J. Smith

As printed in 1914

JAMES J. SMITH.

James J. Smith, a leader among the able lawyers of the Ottumwa bar, has been continuously engaged in practice in this city since August, 1879, and throughout the intervening years has been accorded a large and distinctly representative clientage. He was born February 12, 1854, in Iowa City, Iowa, a son of Andrew and Mary (Donohoe) Smith, who were natives of Ireland and came to the Lnited States in 1850, first settling in Ohio. In 1852 they removed to Iowa, taking up their above in Iowa City, where they remained for fourteen years. Later the father turned his attention to farming, settling in Johnson county, where he remained until 1885, when he brought his family to Ottumwa. Here he and his wife continued to reside until called to the home beyond.

Liberal educational advantages were accorded James Smith, who supplemented his early training by study in the Iowa State University, where he pursued his professional course, being graduated from the law school in June, 1879. He began practice in Ottumwa in the month of August, of that year, and has since been a representative of the bar — well known and prominent in his profession for many years. He has been retained on many important cases and has been very successful in presenting his cause before the courts, the records showing that he has won a large percentage of his cases. He has ever been careful and thorough in preparation, is strong and forceful in argument and his deductions follow with logical sequence. While his attention has been confined almost exclusively to his practice, he is now one of the stockholders and directors of the First National Bank.

On the 29th of September, 1885, in Ottumwa, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary T. Shields, a niece of General James Shields, a hero of the Mexican and Civil wars and a distinguished statesman, who had the remarkable record of representing three states in the United States senate, and whose

_.aT,ON state has been placed in the Hall of Fame in Washington as that of one of the two representatives of Illinois. Mrs. Smith passed away February 26, 1897. On the 30th of August, 1900, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Dollie Healy, a daughter of Thomas Healy, a pioneer resident of Wapello county, and for many years one of the prominent merchants of Ottumwa. Mr. Smith's children are: Lytton J., who is a clerk in the N. Friedman store; Lillian, who resides with her parents; and Lucile, who is the wife of Clement L. Mikesh, a prominent young business man of Ottumwa. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have traveled quite extensively. In 1906 they made a tour through the eastern and New England states and in 1908 took a trip to the Pacific coast, covering a large part of California, Oregon and Washington. They then proceeded northward into Canada, visiting Vancouver and other points and returning over the scenic Canadian Pacific route. In 1910 Mrs. Smith, in company with her daughter Miss Lillian, who had completed her studies at the Iowa State University, made an extended tour of Europe, visiting many countries. While abroad they visited Rome and had an audience with Pope Pius X. They also witnessed the Passion Play at Ober-Ammergau and spent six months in travel amid the beautiful and historic scenes of the old world. Mrs. Smith has taken quite an active part in social altairs in the city of Ottumwa and is also deeply interested in educational matters and in charity. She is a member of the Daughters of Isabella and for a number of years has been connected with the Ottumwa Hospital Association as well as with other benevolent and social organizations.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, their membership being in St. Mary's. Mr. Smith belongs to Ottumwa Lodge, No. 347, B. P. O. E., of which he is one of the trustees, and he is a charter member of General Shields Council, K. C, of which he was the first grand knight, holding the office for two years. His political allegiance has always been given the democratic party, and his opinions carry weight in its councils, while his activity has largely strengthened the cause in this district. He was chosen to represent his district in the twenty-third general assembly and was afterward elected as senator of the twenty-fourth assembly, where he aided in framing the laws of the state, being connected with much important constructive legislation, among which might be mentioned the present Australian ballot law, as he was chairman of the committee that framed this law. In community affairs he is deeply and helpfully interested. For several years he was one of the trustees of the Ottumwa library, and he has been a member of the board of trustees of the Ottumwa Hospital Association from its organization. His ability in his profession, his activity in politics and his well known devotion to the public welfare have made him one of the valued residents of Ottumwa.

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