SMITH, Clifton A. - 1914

SMITH, FIFIELD, PAGE

Posted By: Colette Miles (email)
Date: 6/27/2009 at 20:00:36

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914

CLIFTON A. SMITH.

Among the residents of Washta whose well directed energies and intelligently applied labors have won for them a high place in business circles is Clifton A. Smith, a member of the firm of Snidecor & Company, dealers in furniture, implements and hardware. He was born in Galva, Illinois, August 30, 1862, and is a son of George S. and Laura A. (Fifield) Smith, the former a native of Long Island and the latter of New Hampshire. The father went to Illinois in 1856 and there worked at the carpenters trade until his health failed, after which he became identified with the sewing machine and piano business, continuing in this line of occupation until i88r. In that year he came to Cherokee county and bought a tract of land in Sheridan township, which he operated and improved during the remainder of his life. He passed away at Cleghorn, Iowa, in 1896, and is survived by his wife, who makes her home in that city.

Clifton A. Smith was reared and educated in Galva, Illinois, and afterward worked with his father at the carpentering trade. He came to Cherokee county with his parents in 1881 and afterward remained upon the farm for five years. He then moved into Cherokee, where for four seasons he worked in the employ of Hall Brothers, continuing thus until 1889, when he became connected with the Illinois Central Railroad Company as fireman. Shortly afterward he was promoted to the position of engineer and he held this for ten years, after which he turned his attention to farming. At the end of one year he moved to Nebraska and from there returned to Iowa, settling in Washta, where he aided in the organization of the firm of Snidecor & Company, dealers in furniture, hardware and implements. His influence has since been a helpful factor in the building up of the large business which this firm controls today, for he is a progressive, reliable and resourceful business man capable of forming plans readily and of carrying them forward to successful completion.

On May 22, 1895, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ada E. Page, a daughter of Daniel and Electa (Smith) Page, natives of New York. The father came to Iowa in 1848 and operated a farm in this state during the remainder of his life, dying in September, 1911. His wife survives him and makes her home with the subject of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have become the parents of a daughter, Dorothy, aged fifteen.

Mr. Smith is connected fraternally with the Masonic lodge of Washta and the chapter at Cherokee. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of Fort Dodge. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is now in the third year of his able service as county supervisor. He has made a host of friends since coming to Washta and has become one of the substantial and prosperous business men of the city.