Thomas J Smalley

SMALLEY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 16:18:52

Thomas J Smalley is a native of Ashland county, Ohio born on August 14, 1839. He traces his ancestry back to one of the old families of Kentucky. His paternal grandfather, John Smalley, was born n that state and became an early settler of Ohio. There he married Elizabeth Bradfield, who was born in New Jersey. At the time of the Black Hawk war John Smalley joined the troop engaged in quelling the uprising of the Indians who resisted the advance of the white man in the northwest territory. He was a farmer and from the time of his removal to Ohio remained a continuous resident of that state until called to his final rest. The old homestead upon which he lived remained in possession of the family until 1901 when it was sold. The grandfather died at the age of sixty-six years and the wife passed way at the age of seventy years. In their family were seven children as follows: Isaac, John, Richard, Edward, Sophia, Polly or Mary and Sarah, but all are now deceased.
Edward Smalley the father of our subject was born in Ashland county, Ohio may 2, 1812, and was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier upon the old home farm there. After arriving at years of maturity he married Susan Wiley, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1814. Edward Smalley carried on agricultural pursuits through out his business career and spent all his life in Iowa, having come to this state about 1851. From the government he entered a claim of a quarter section of landing Fayette county and afterward removed to Winneshiek county where he purchased 160 acres making his home thereon for fifteen years during which time he continuously cultivated his fields. He then sold that property and removed to Minnesota, but after two years spent in that state he disposed of his realty holdings there and came to Boone county, Iowa purchasing a farm in Jackson township. It was upon that place he spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of seventy-five years and three months. His wife had died in Winneshiek county. In their family were eight children, three sons and five daughters, as follows: Sarah Ann, Thomas, Richard F, Mary E, Catherine R, Melinda J, Harriet E, and William W. all of this number are living in Iowa with the excepting of Catherine.
Thomas J Smalley, whose name introduces this record, has been a resident of Boone county since 1867, but has made his home in Iowa since 1851, having come to this state with is parents when a youth of twelve years. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period and first became the owner of land in 1869, when he purchased a tract of 80 acres of wild land constituting part of the farm upon which he is now living. At different times he has added to the property until he has owned as much a 434 acres, but of this he has sold a portion, still retaining possession of 274 acres. He yet carries on general farming and has always kept a good grade of cattle. He has been engaged in stock raising, in buying, feeding and selling and ships from one to two carloads of cattle each year, at present, although he is not as actively and extensively engaged in farming operation s and stock dealing as he was in former years, having in the meantime acquired an excellent capital. He has a nice farm upon which are good buildings erected there by the owner.
On February 17, 1851, Mr Smalley was united in marriage to Miss Lovina Bentley, who was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, September 5, 1840, and was a daughter of Thomas and Paulina Claflin Bentley. She died September 19, 1896, leaving seven children. Five of this number are yet living, namely: Idella P, Alta M. Herbert J, Judson E, and Etha. Those who have passed away are: Hattie E, Nora E, Lydia E and Robert O.
Mr Smalley is leading a very active and busy life and has been a witness of the greater part of the growth and development of Bone county. When he first came here there were no roads and wild game of various kinds was plentiful. He endured many hardships, life the other pioneer settlers, because the comforts of the older east could not be easily obtained as there were no railroad facilities. His first home was a little cabin fourteen by twenty feet, but he today has a good set of farm buildings upon his place. In his political views he is a Democrat. Throughout Boone county he has a wide acquaintance and his circle of friends is almost so extensive therewith, for the sterling qualities of his character and his upright manhood have won him the esteem and good will of all with whom he has been associated.

1902 Boone County History Book