In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. A few names of people born after 1905 are withheld for privacy. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1844
From History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people (1914)
JOSEPH J. SMITH.
Joseph J. Smith, a highly respected and representative farmer of Washington township, owns three hundred and twenty-six acres of land and since 1874 has been identified with agricultural pursuits in Buchanan county. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1844, a son of J. D. and Sarah (White) Smith, who were also natives of County Derry. Coming to the United States in early life, they were married in New York and there the father, who was a blacksmith, followed his trade for seven years, after which he returned to Ireland, where he reared his family. He engaged in business as a grain merchant there until 1861, when he returned to the new world, settling at Chatham, Canada. After a year, however, he crossed the border into the United Staves and settled in Michigan, near Lake Superior, where he engaged in mining, remaining in that locality for six years.
J. D. Smith afterward came to Buchanan county and purchased land in Byron township, giving his attention here to general agricultural pursuits. At the time of his retirement he was one of the prosperous farmers of his locality, owning two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land. He also engaged successfully in the raising of Durham cattle. To him and his wife were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in Ireland. One son, Isaiah Smith, now occupies the old homestead farm in Byron township. Upon that place the father lived to the time of his death, which occurred in 1893 when he had reached the very advanced age of ninety-six years. His wife passed away ten years before, at the age of seventy. In religious faith they were Presbyterians and in political belief Mr. Smith was a republican, active and loyal in the support of the party. He was interested in all that tertained to public progress and cooperated in many movements which were directly beneficial to the community.
Joseph J. Smith attended school in Ireland until the time when the parents returned to the new world. He came with them to Iowa and when about thirty years of age began farming on his ovm account in Washington township. Previous to that time he had been employed in the copper mines near Lake Superior but since 1874 he has continuously engaged in general agricultural pur.suits in this county, covering a period of forty years. His holdings today emlirace three hundred and twenty-six acres of arable land and in addition to cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate he raises considerable stock, making a specialty of Poland China hogs. His farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance and everything about the place indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods.
In 1880 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Herrigan, who was born in New York in 1849 and passed away in this county in 1909 at the age of sixty years. Her parents were Jeremiah and Catharine (Devert) Herrigan, both natives of Ireland. Crossing the Atlantic, they landed at New York and afterward made their way to Buchanan county, where the father purchased a farm. He continued to make his home in this county to the time of his death. In politics he was an active democrat and his religious belief was that of the Catholic church. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born four children: J. J., thirty-three years of age, who is now with a dredge company in Missouri and is the owner of land in this county; J. D., thirty-two years of age, and Leo, thirty-one years of age, both at home; and Maude, the wife of William Fenner, a farmer of Washington township, by whom she has three children — [name withheld], who was born May 11, 1911; Harold, February 17, 1912; and Evelyn margaret. June 18, 1914. The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, father and children all being members thereof.
Mr. Smith has no political aspirations but votes with the republican party and is a firm believe in its principles. He stands for progress and improvement in public affairs, just as he does in business life, and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further movements for the general good. The greater part of his attention, however, is given to his farming interests and he is today accounted one of the leading farmers of Wasliington township, where by careful management and practical methods he has won well deserved success.
As printed in History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1914. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.