In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1859, Union Township
From History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the go (1891)
ILLIAM A. SMITH, a highly respectable citizen of Persia, was born in Union Township, Harrison County, Iowa, August 6, 1859, and hence is a genuine Harrisonian Hawkeye by birth. He remained under the paternal roof until 1872, when his parents bought a farm in Washington Township, he living at home most of the time until 1878, after which he worked summers and attended school winters until January 1, 1882, when he was ushered into a new era by his marriage to Miss Annetta Matocks, who is now the mother of two children — Cora I., and Roy F.
Mrs. Smith was born in the State of Michigan, her father dying when she was yet a small girl. She lived withher grand parents at Niles, Ill., until about 1876. Her mother married James Atkinson in Niles, Ill., and the family came to Harrison County and settled on a farm in Union Township, where our subject’s wife remained until the time of her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson removed to Persia in the spring of 1889, and the latter departed this life March 7, 1890. They were both members of the Latter Day Saints Church.
J. W. Smith, father of our subject, was born in Ohio, and came to Harrison County, Iowa, about 1854, and settled in Union Township where he improved a farm, sold that and bought another in Washington Township, which was already improved and upon which he lived until 1880, when he sold out and removed to Union Township where he rented, until 1883, and then removed to Harlan, Shelby County, Iowa, and lived until 1885, and then removed to Nebraska.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of the Latter Day Saints Church.
As printed in History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the go (1891). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1891. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.