Smith, Willard E. (1865-1944)

SMITH

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/13/2016 at 13:16:43

Willard E. Smith
(May 12, 1865 - November 26, 1944)

Willard E. Smith, who is engaged in general agriculture pursuits on section 27, Macedonia township, was born May 12, 1865, in Grove township, this county, and is therefore a representative of one of its old families, his parents, Stephen and Mary (Frain) Smith, being still residents of Grove township. Their family numbered four sons and a daughter: Henry, of Macedonia; George, of Tabor; Clara, the wife of Charles Bogue, of Colorado; Willard E., of this review; and Arthur, at home.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Willard E. Smith in the days of his boyhood and youth. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority, with the exception of two years spent in Colorado and Montana -- 1884 and 1885. He was engaged mining in the former state and was employed upon a ranch in the latter. He then returned home, was married at the age of twenty-one years and started out his life on his own account as a farmer of Grove township. He first rented one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cultivated for three years, and on the expiration of that period he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Macedonia township, where he resided for three years. On selling that property he made investment in two hundred and forty acres, constituting the northwest quarter and the west half of the southwest quarter of section 24, Grove township, which he now owns. In March, 1905, however, he bought his present farm and took up his abode upon this place, comprising one hundred and eighty acres on sections 22 and 27, Macedonia township. He therefore has a total of four hundred and twenty acres in the two farms and is cultivating both tracts, raising grain and stock. He is a large stock feeder and shipper, and his business is bringing to him a very gratifying financial return.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Smith was married in 1887 to Miss Susan Knox, who was born in Youngstown, Ohio, October 21, 1867, and came here at the age of ten years with with her parents, Andrew and Matilda (Young) Knox, natives of Ireland, who were married, however in Massachusetts. The family home was established in Grove township when Mr. Knox brought his wife and children to Iowa and upon the farm which he there developed and cultivated both he and his wife spent their remaining days. Unto Mr. & Mrs. Smith have been born eight children: Ruby, Lois, Lottie, Ralph, Dart, LeRoy, Violet, and Lyle. The family attend the Presbyterian church and Mr. Smith belongs to Ruby Lodge, No. 415, A. F. & A. M., of Macedonia. For one term he served as trustee of Grove Township, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, although he gives stalwart allegiance to the Republican party.

Submitted by: Constance Diamond, 2003.
Source: History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, 1907
From the Earliest Historic Times to 1907
By Homer H. Field and Hon. Joseph R. Reed; 1907, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.