Marquis Michelson Smith

SMITH

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/14/2010 at 21:49:25

Marquis Michelson Smith, a progressive and up to date business man conducting a general store at Mackey, Iowa, was born in Germany on June 10, 1861, and is a son of Michael Anderson and Maria (Gerberson) Smith. The parents spent their entire lives in the fatherland and both are now deceased.
Marquis M Smith was reared and educated in Germany but at the age of seventeen years went to Denmark, where the following three years were passed. It was in 1881 that he crossed the Atlantic to the United States, determined to try his fortune in this country. Locating in Davenport, Iowa he followed the painter’s trade there for a short time and then removed to Des Moines, where three years were passed. The following two years were spent in Story City and at the end of that time he came to Boone county. In 1887 he opened a general store in Mackey and has since carried on business here, having built up an excellent trade I the meantime. His stock is large and well selected and in the delivery of his goods he uses an auto truck.
Mr Smith was married on October 3, 1885, to Miss Christina Christianson, a daughter of Thomas Peterson, and they have become the parents of the following children: William who married Christina Weigel and is now employed as an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad with headquarters at Council Bluffs, Harry who married Beatrice York ad is engaged in farming in Harrison township, Mamie who is teaching school in that township, and Andrew who assists his father in the store and resides at home.
For sixteen years Mr Smith served as postmaster of Mackey but the office was discontinued in 1905. He is an earnest member of the Methodist church and belongs to the Danish Brotherhood and Modern Woodmen Lodge, No 7803, of Mackey, of which he is clerk. His success in life is due to his own untiring efforts, sound judgment and reliable dealing, and besides his store he today owns 40 aces of improved land. Always courteous and accommodating, he has made many friends during his residence in this county and both as a businessman and citizen stands deservedly high in the estimation of his fellow citizens.

1914 Boone County History Book