William H. Smith

As printed in 1903

WILLIAM H. SMITH.

There are few men in the county more widely known than Mr. Smith, a retired farmer of Richland. As a farmer, a business man, and a Civil war veteran, he has always maintained that integrity of character and unwavering fidelity to purpose in life that command the respect of all who know him. He was born in Hancock county, Illinois, November 2, 1837, and is the son of Hasadiah and Lydia (Ward) Smith.

Hasadiah Smith, a man of sterling worth, was born in New Hampshire and at the early age of eight moved with his parents to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. With a bent toward mechanics, a train which he may have inherited from his practical English an. stry, he early obtained a knowledge of carpentry, which became very useful to him in later years. During the latter part of his residence in Ohio lie married Lydia Ward, who was born in Connecticut. and when rather young moved with her parents to Ohio. She died 111 Sigourney, Iowa, in 1851. By this marriage there were nine children, six of whom grew to maturity. William H. was the fourth child and the third son. Soon after his marriage, in the spring of 1837, Mr. Smith moved to a farm in Warren county. Illinois, where he engaged in agriculture, but soon afterward sold out. Later he moved to Washington county, Iowa, and after a short residence went in 1844 to

Sigourney, where lie made his home for many years. Finding here a good opening for a carpenter he soon engaged in that work, and giving excellent satisfaction, he established for himself a good business. He also undertook the making and repairing of wagons, and. in this line worked up one of the most profitable industries in the city. He achieved fair success in both lines of business. He spent his last days in Indiana, and died there in 1861.

William H. Smith was six years old when his parents left their Illinois home and came to Washington county, Iowa, and seven when they moved to Sigourney. It was in this city, where he remained until he was twenty years of age, that he mainly received his education and the training for his life work. He attended the common schools of the place and there developed habits of industry and exactness that so markedly characterized his later work. When twenty years of age he started out for himself in life, and in Clear Creek township took up farming. Deeply interested with the conviction that his services were required in the war, in August he enlisted in Company I. Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for three years service, and went to the front as a private. He did some hard fighting in the long siege of Vicksburg, after which he was sent west of the Mississippi. He stood the hardships well and was never sick or wounded. When his term of enlistment expired he received an honorable dismissal at Davenport, Iowa. Shortly before.the war, October 11, 1860, he married Eunice A. Anderson, who was born in Miami county, Ohio, December 21, 1838. the third child of J. D. and Hannah (Larue) Anderson, and who at the age of eighteen moved with her parents to Iowa. Her father was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and her mother of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born four children: Edward, a farmer in the township of Richland: Jesse W.; Ella, who married John Brolliar, and resides in Richland; and Bert, who was the 3rd of the family, is now deceased.

After the war Mr. Smith resumed farming in Clear Creek township, but in 1867 removed to Richland township, and there farmer, and resided up to January, 1892, when he removed to Richland and retired from active work. lie has done, however, exceptionally well with his farming and now owns a large amount of stock in the Union State Bank, and also a splendid one hundred and sixty acre farm in Jefferson county. Mr. Smith's remarkable executive ability, and wise business management has commended him to the confidence of the people and he has served very efficiently for some time as justice of the peace and as trustee. In fraternal circles he is well known and highly esteemed. As a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Charlton post. No. 143, lie has served on important committees for many years, and he belongs to Richland Lodge. Xo. 38. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is thoroughly well known throughout the county, where he has many warm friends. In politics he is an influential Republican.

As printed in A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa .. (1903). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.