Smith, Robert M.

SMITH, NEVILLE, MCCORKLE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/14/2003 at 21:05:10

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

ROBERT M. SMITH

Thrift is the key which unlocks the portals of success and the treasures therein are won through perseverance and diligence. It is in this manner that Mr. Smith has gained prosperity, being to-day classed among the substantial and representative farmers of DeWitt township, his home being on section 21. Since the fall of 1863 he has resided here, and to-day owns four hundred and thirteen acres of fine land within two miles of the city of DeWitt. His birth occurred in Morgan county, Ohio, April 14, 1850, and he is the son of William Smith and a half-brother of J. Alexander Smith, also a well-known resident of Clinton county. The father was twice married, his second union being with Mary J. Hill, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio.

Robert M. Smith spent the first thirteen years of his life in the place of his nativity, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Clinton county. He then remained upon the home farm throughout the period of his minority. His educational privileges were somewhat limited, but practical experience, observation and reading have made him a well-informed man. Through the summer months he assisted in the work of the fields and aided in harvesting the crops in the autumn. He was married on the farm where he resides, September 18, 1873, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth C. Neville, a daughter of George W. and Anne E. Neville. Her father was a native of Maryland, whence he removed to Pennsylvania, and later he became one of the first settlers of Clinton county, taking up his abode upon the farm where his daughter was born and reared. He became one of the substantial agriculturists of the community, and he and his wife both died on the old homestead. George W. Neville married Anne E. McCorkle, who was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Samuel McCorkle.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Smith leased the Neville farm for a number of years, and after the death of Mrs. Neville purchased the interest of the other heirs and succeeded to the ownership of the place, which then comprised two hundred and forty acres. He has rebuilt the residence, improving the other buildings, and now has one of the most valuable farms of the neighborhood. He to-day owns four hundred and thirteen acres of rich land, and the highly cultivated fields return to him golden harvests. He also raises thoroughbred stock and his work in this direction is also profitable. In his farming operations he is assisted by the younger son, Earl D., the older son, Elsworth N., is married and has one child, Edith Bernice. He too lives upon a portion of the home place.

Politically Mr. Smith has been a life long Republican, and his first ballot was cast for General Grant in 1872, since which time he has supported each presidential nominee of the party. While he has never been an aspirant for office, he served for six years as assessor of DeWitt township, and was secretary of the township school board for a number of years. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend, and he has labored to secure good schools and competent teachers, for he realizes the value of mental discipline as a preparation for the practical duties of life. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of DeWitt, and he has served as one of it s officers, acting as trustee, while for several years he was superintendent of the Sunday-school. His Christian faith has shaped his career and has made him a man of high character, manly principle and spotless reputation. He and his wife are held in high regard, and wherever known enjoy the confidence and esteem of those with whom they are associated.