William F. Smith

As printed in 1907

WILLIAM F. SMITH.

'william F. Smith, who is a prosperous and progressive agriculturist of Guthrie county, owning and operating one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 11, Highland township, and eighty acres in Seely township, is also prominently connected with the Farmers' Co-Operative Creamery Company as one of its organizers and now its heaviest stockholder. He was born in Putnam county. New York, September 13, 1856, a son of James C. and Frances (Mekeel) Smith, the former a native of Putnam county and a wagonmaker by trade. He spent his entire life in that county, passing away there in 1899. His widow, however, still survives and yet makes her home in Putnam county. Of their family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, William F. is the sixth in order of birth, the other members of the family being Melissa, Carrie, George, James, Mary, Estella, Anna, Ida and Sarah.

\Ailliam F. Smith spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state and was there educated in the district schools. He remained at home until he had reached the age of twenty-six years, when, believing that better opportunities awaited him in the west, he accordingly made his way to Iowa, locating first in Johnson county, this state. After four years there passed he continued his journey to Guthrie county, where for seven years he operated rented land. During that period he worked earnestly and persistently in the hope of acquiring a competence that would justify his purchase of property. This ambition was rewarded and he eventually made purchase of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land, situated on section 11, Highland township, and eighty acres in Seely township, all of which is tillable and which responds' readily to the care and labor which he bestow upon it. He has improved his property with substantial buildings and fences and everything about the place is kept in good state of repair, so that he is today classed among the enterprising agriculturists of his section of the county. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate Mr. Smith also makes a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle, and this branch of his business is proving a profitable venture.

Mr. Smith has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Anna Daugherty, their marriage being celebrated in January, 1883. Their home was blessed with two sons, Charles and Ray, both at home. The wife and mother departed this life in 1896, and on the 25th of April, 1897, Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Nettie J. Conrad, the widow of Charles Conrad. She bore the maiden name of Rich and was born in Scott county, lov/a. By the second marriage of Mr. Smith there is one son, William M., also at home, and by her former marriage Mrs. Smith has a son and daughter — Harry and Delia — the former now living in Crawford county, Iowa, while the latter is with her mother.

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

As printed in Past and present of Guthrie County, Iowa : together with biographical sketches of many of its prominent and leading citizens and illustrious dead (1907). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.