Jerome B. Smith

As printed in 1887

JEROME B. SMITH, a gentleman in the prime of life and an enterprising citizen of College Township, actively engaged in agricultural pursuits, is residing on the homestead which was established by his father in the.ally settlement of the Territory of Iowa. His farm consists of 140 acres, occupying a fine location on section 1 I. Mr. Smith is a native of this township, his birth taking place Feb. 15, 1851. His father. Phillip Smith, was born in Champaign County. Ohio, whence his parents removed to Elkhart County. Ind., where he was reared and received an excellent common-scl 1 education.

Phillip Smith and Miss Nancy Smith (no relative) were married, and continued to reside in Indiana, carrying on the pursuit of agriculture. Mrs. Smith came from New York State to Indiana when a young woman. After the birth of one child they removed further west and established themselves in I. inn County, in September, 1851. They selected a location in College Township, entered Government land, and the present homestead is the site of the original purchase. The land was unimproved, and the father set himself energetically to work to bring it to a good state of cultivation. He built a log house and later erected the present residence. He was a man of great industry and force of character, and soon became prominent in his community, and greatly respected tor his sterling worth. He was liberal in his impulses, always ready to assist the needy, and took a generous interest in the welfare of his friends and neighbors. His decease occurred May 6, 1881, when he was nearly fifty-six years old. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, whose principles he conscientiously endorsed and advocated. He held the minor offices of his township, and was a man whose opinion was sought for and highly valued. The mother is still living, and resides with her son, our subject, who is the eldest but one of his mother's seven children. The family circle consisted of three sons and four daughters, one of the latter being deceased. The two youngest are yet unmarried.

Jerome B. Smith remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred in this township, Aug. 28, 1873, the lady of his choice being Mi-- Nettie LeGore. a native of Indiana, born in Elkhart County, (let. 11, 1851. She came with her parents to Iowa in 1854, and they settled in Putnam Township, where the mother died in 1880. The father is still living at an advanced age, a good old man, greatly beloved by his friends and neighbors..Mrs. Smith received a most careful training under the parental roof, and became well educated. She is an excellent wife and mother, looking well to the ways of her household, and carefully training her three children. Their names are, Norman E., Robert and Phillip L.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.