Walter W. Smith

As printed in 1910

WALTER W. SMITH.

Walter W. Smith, one of the native agriculturists of Henry county, who is conducting his father's farm of three hundred and twenty acres, lying on section 9, Osco township, was born in Western township, near the village of Orion, January 25, 1880. His parents are John F. and Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Smith, of whom extended mention is made in another part of this volume.

Walter W. Smith spent his boyhood days upon the home farm, and as he was the eldest of the six children born to his parents, he was early initiated into the work of the farm, assisting in its operation as soon as he was strong enough to handle the farm implements. After completing the course of study prescribed by the country schools he attended the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899. He then went to Knox College, Galesburg, and after a three years' course returned to his father's farm, where he took up his Hfe work. To this place he brought his bride, about four years ago, and here he has since Hved. Although still in the early years of his manhood, Mr, Smith possesses those qualities that should make him one of the substantial agriculturists of his locality, for he has many things to his credit, being industrious, progressive in his ideas and not afraid to exert himself in the pursuit of the success which he hopes to attain.

While in college Mr. Smith became acquainted with Miss Velmya Donizetta Howlett, a daughter of Dr. G. C. and Sarah Elizabeth (Smith) Howlett. She was born and reared in Atkinson and attended the high school in Geneseo and at West Superior, Wisconsin. On the 5th of June, 1906, in Atkinson, were pronounced the words which made the young people man and wife, and their union has been blessed with two children: Karl, born in Geneseo, February 11, 1907; and Zona, born in Osco township, August 2, 1909.

Mr. Smith is a member of the English Lutheran church at Morristown, while his wife is an equally consistent adherent of the Congregational faith. Although he is interested in public affairs and keeps himself informed in regard to national issues, he does not give implicit allegiance to any party, for he prefers to decide upon the merits of each candidate and each question as it is presented to him. He is a zealous Mason, and is almost invariably present at the meetings of Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.