T. Smith

As printed in 1887

T. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, section 10, Dutch Creek Township, is a native li\ of Fayette County, Ind., born Dec. 6, 1831. His father, Jacob W. Smith, was born in Connecticut, and, while in his youth, moved with his father, Dr. Samuel Smith, and his mother. Bertha (Weed) Smith, to New York, and from that State, when he was a young man, he, moved with his parents to the wild woods of Fayette County, Ind., between 1818 and 1820. Soon after arriving in Fayette County, he became acquainted with, and in a few years married Miss Margaret Ronald, the mother of the subject of our sketch. She was born on the Connecticut River, in Vermont. When a young woman, her father, George Ronald, a native of Scotland, and her mother, Betsy (Smith) Ronald, a native of New Hampshire, moved to Fayette County, Ind., arriving there the same year as the Smith family. These two families were among the first settlers of that county — the pioneers who inaugurated the change from dense woodland into cultivated fields. Jacob W. Smith and Margaret Ronald being married, of their union sprang twelve children, of whom two died in infancy. The others, given in the order of their birth, are as follows: Mary Jane, wife of Elijah Hamilton, now living in Fayette County, Ind., near the old home farm; Calista, widow of R. H. Sprague, living in Keota, Iowa; George R., farmer, living in Osborne County', Kan.; Loretta died in girlhood; A. J., the subject of this sketch; Edwin, a stonemason, living in Johnson County, Kan.; Rosanna, wife of W. J. Sturgeon, farmer, living in Washington, Iowa; Nelson, farmer, living in Wright County, Iowa; Rhoda, wife of Aaron Schofield, retired farmer, living in

Cottonwood County, Minn.; and Austin, carpenter and wagon-maker, living in Pawnee County, Neb.

On Sept. 10, 1856, A. J. Smith was married to Miss Mary M. Milieu, who was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, on the 4th day of January, 1835. Her father, Capt. John Milieu, followed the sea in his younger years, but afterward retired from business and settled in Ireland, where he remained until he died, Jan. 13, 1865, at the age of ninety. Her mother, Jane (Louden) Millen, died when she was quite small, and she, on the 3d of August, 1847, set sail from Londonderry for America, in company with her uncle, James Louden, who settled in Fayette County, Ind., and with whom she afterward resided. Here she became acquainted with and married our subject, A. - -J-.-vSmith.. Shortly after their marriage, in the fall t)f;1856- they: moved to Louisa County, Iowa, in 'eotttpany 'with- Mr. Smith's parents, crossing the Mississippi at Burlington. They settled in Louisa County, four miles above Wapello and two miles.'fiFom the SlisSissippi and Iowa Rivers. There they remained until February, 1865, when they moved to their present home in Washington County. Mr. Smith first bought eighty acres of land, for part of which he went into debt. He has been continually engaged in farming, giving it his whole time and attention. By his own unaided industry he has from time to time added to the original eighty until he owns 200 acres, under cultivation, and fifteen acres of timber lank. This farm is among the best improved in the county; house, bank barn, out-buildings and fences all being in prime condition. The father and mother of Mr. Smith moved to Washington County in the same year in which he came, residing here until their death, the father dying in February, 1870. Had he lived until March, he would have been seventy-one years old. The mother died July 30, 1887, aged eighty-five.

There have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith six children: J. M., born Jan. 4, 1858; Alva L.. born June 18, 1860, died Aug. 16, 1874; George R., born Aug. 1, 18G2, died Aug. 4, 1864; Margaret M., born Sept. 8, 1864, died July 30, 1874; D. Everett, born Nov. 24, 1867; Mary J., born

Feb. 24, 1870, died Aug. 23, 1880. Of these six children only two are still living-,.T. M., who is attending the home farm, and 1). K., wIki is attending college at Monniniitii, Ill.

On the 30tii of May, 1887, Mary 1). Swan, a niece of Mis. J. Smith, arrived at their home in this county from County Londonderry, Ireland, where she was born.Inno 13. 1870. Hereafter she will reside with them and Ikregarded as one of the family. Mr. Smith and family are nienil)ers of the I'nited Presliyterian Church, and have a high social standing. He is a thorough-going Republican, and participate actively in county, State and national politics. As a citizen he is greatly esteemed, and in all moral work he is ever in the advance.

A lithographic view of Mr. Smith's residence is shown in this connection.

As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Washington County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.