Wesley Smith

As printed in 1909

WESLEY SMITH.

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

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,7 A'/iX iUBLlC LIBRARY

11IS'R)RV ( W ASIllXC.TOX COL'X'J'V 211

Wesley Smith spent the first twelve years of his life in the state of his nativity and then came with his parents to Iowa, being reared here amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life. Xo event <if special importance occurred to vary the routine of the farm and through the fall and winter months he attended the district schools, while at the time of the early spring planting he took his place in the fields and assisted in the cultivation and harvesting of the crops as the seasons passed. When a young man he thought to find other pursuits more congenial than agriculture and at the age of nineteen he began learning the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a few years. In this way he made a little capital and, in connection with his brother Marion, he purchased a farm of two hundred and twenty acres in Dutch Creek township. About three years later he purchased his brother's interest and remained the sole owner of the property for about five or six years, when he disposed of it. His own investment brought him one hundred and sixty acres of land in Franklin township, to which at different times he added two eighty acre tracts. This place he still owns and also another farm of one hundred and thirty-one acres in the same township. He continued to reside with his family in Franklin township until 1907, when he removed to the county seat, purchasing a beautiful home at No. 606 West Washington street. As the years had gone by he had persistently and energetically pursued the farm work, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and using all of the latest improved machinery to facilitate his labors. His farm ever presented a neat and thrifty appearance and in spring gave good promise of golden harvests, to be garnered in the autumn. His unfaltering industry, his careful management and his judicious sales at length brought him affluence and in possession of a substantial competence he is now living retired.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Smith was married on the 27th of December, 1869, to Miss Marie W. Wells, a native of this county and a daughter of William W. and Rebecca (Jackson) Wells. The marriage of Mr. and [rs. Smith has been blessed with one son, Sidney S., who wedded Viola McCaleb and is operating the home farm. Mr. Smith is an earnest democrat with faith in the principles of the party and has served for several terms as township trustee and as school director. Both he and his wife occupy a prominent position in social circles, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they have come in contact.

As printed in History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.