Justus C. Smith

As printed in 1905

JUSTUS C. SMITH.

Des Moines county is the birthplace of many of the men who have assisted in the improvement and upbuilding of many of the townships, and therefore they well deserve mention in a record among those who have been their companions for many years. Justus C. Smith is a son of Senator F. X. Smith, whose sketch appears on another page in this book, and was born in Yarmouth, Washington township, July 31, 1877, where he received his early education. He also attended the high school of Burlington, and then assisted on the home farm till he became a man.

On his twenty-first birthday he wedded Miss Katherine A. Weber, who was born in Burlington, and is the daughter of Henry and Margaret (Schenk) Weber, and to them has been born one child, Helen Leona. Mr. Weber was born in Alsace, France, and came to America when he was about eleven years of age, locating in the city of New Orleans, where he learned the butcher's trade. He had not been in New Orleans long when his father and brother were taken ill with the yellow fever, and died, and he at once brought his mother to Burlington, where he again obtained employment in a butcher shop. In a few years he entered into partnership with John Kauffer, under the firm name of Kauffer & Weber. This well-known firm continued business till 1893. when Mr. 'eber sold his interest in the meat market, and took up his above in Memphis, Mo., where he purchased a large farm of two hundred acres, upon which he farmer and lived till death overtook him in 1897, at the age of fifty years. Mrs. \\eber, who was born in Germany, came to the United States when she was about sixteen years of age, and is still living on the home farm in Memphis, Mo. Mr. and Airs, 'eber had five children, all of whom are living, and all, except Mrs. Smith, reside with their mother on the home place. They are: John H.; Katherine A., wife of our subject; Oscar W.; Clara; and Anna. Mrs.

Siiiitli received her education in the city schools of lUirlinpfton and also attended the Bentz conservatory of music in Memphis, Mo., making a study of the pianoforte.

Mr. Sniitli lives upon and works a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Section 7, Washington township, on which he lias placed many good improvements. He carries on farming to a large extent with much success, as well as raising stock for the markets. Besides this property in IJes.Moines county Mr. Smith is interested in land near Xcss City, Kan. He is one of the stockholders of the Mutual Telephone Company of Yarmouth, and is one of the stand-by Democrats of the township.

.Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both members of the Methodist church, of Mt. Union..Although they have not been residents of Washington township for a great length of time, still they arc both well and favorably known, and by their upright lives and kind ways have won the confidence and good-will of the entire community.

As printed in Biographical review of Des Moines County, Iowa (1905). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.