William H. Smith

As printed in 1913

WILLIAM H. SMITH.

William H. Smith, after a long and successful agricultural career, lives retired in Decorah, enjoying in well earned rest a comfortable competence. For many years he was engaged actively in farming a four hundred acre tract of land in Bluffton township, being one of the important factors in the agricultural development of Winneshiek county. A native of England, he was born on March 21, 1837, a son of William and Sarah (Hutton) Smith, both natives of the mother country. The father was a tailor by trade and passed away in his native land. In 1855 the mother and six of her children crossed the Atlantic to the United States and, coming to Winneshiek county, made their home with George, an elder brother of our subject, who had previously come to the United States in the late '40s, taking up a large tract of government land in Canoe township, this county. Subsequently the mother purchased forty acres of land, her son William H. taking charge and remaining with her until her demise in 1862.

He is the youngest of seven children, the remainder all having passed away. He received his education in England, coming to the United States when eighteen years of age and locating in this county, where he later engaged in farming. He purchased a small farm and as his means increased extended its borders until he today owns four hundred valuable acres of land on sections 13 and 14, Bluffton township. Mr. Smith successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits, specializing in stock-raising and, employing modern and up-to-date methods, derived a substantial annual income from his property. Obstacles had to be overcome in the beginning, but by endurance and industry he succeeded in the development of a valuable farm upon which can be found high-class improvements and modern and up-to-date equipment. In 1901 Mr. Smith was enabled to retire from active farm work and he has since resided in Decorah, renting out his land. He is one of the highly esteemed citizens of that city and has become connected with its financial life as a stockholder in the Citizens Savings Bank. He has never actively participated in politics but is a strong republican and gave his undivided support to President Taft. He attends the Episcopal church, in the work of which he takes an active interest. His six brothers and sisters, all now deceased were, George, Sarah, Clara, Rebecca, Mathilda and Ann. Mr. Smith is highly respected and esteemed in Decorah, where he is widely and favorably known for his many good qualities of mind and character.

As printed in Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.