SMITH, Ellson P.

SMITH

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/30/2021 at 20:07:50

Ellson P. Smith
born Dec 29, 1849

E. P. Smith, manager and treasurer of the Farmers’ Lumber Company, Battle Creek, Iowa , is a man of marked business ability and has risen, unaided, to a position of wealth and influence. The company of which Mr. Smith is manager was incorporated and began business March 24, 1892, succeeding the S. H. Bowman Lumber Company. They carry doors, blinds, trimmings and building material of all kinds, and also deal in coal, stone, brick, etc., their stock being valued at $5,000. The company is officered as follows: Dr. B. Grasser, president; A. M. Wallace, vice-president; D. T. Fowler, secretary; and E. P. Smith, manager and treasurer.
Mr. Smith was born in Syracuse, New York, December 29, 1849, son of Samuel and Martha E. (Elson) Smith, natives of England, now deceased. Until he was seventeen he lived on a farm in his native State. That year he came to Ida county, Iowa, located in Corwin Township, and for one year was engaged in farming there. Then he came to the eastern part of Maple Township, where he improved a farm of 120 acres. He afterward sold this property, moved to Moorhead creek, and lived there one year. Then he purchased eighty acres on Aldridge creek, which he improved and sold. After that he rented half of section 27, Maple township, for a period of seven years, the land being wild and unimproved. He cultivated the soil, built a house and planted trees, and during this time saved money enough to buy 160 acres in section 21. This property he at once began to improved, and still owns it. Here he built a small house which served for their home until 1885, when he erected a commodious two-story residence. He built good barns, fences, etc., and by freely expending both labor and money greatly enhanced the value of his property. From time to time he bought and improved other lands. He has 200 acres in section 28, and 160 acres on section 16, same township, on each of which he has placed good buildings, fences, etc., and planted grove and orchard. He also owns eighty acres in section 12, Garfield township, which he expects soon to improve. In November, 1888, he purchased a residence in Battle Creek, and has since made his home here. Up to that time he had been engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and after moving to Battle Creek was retired from active business until 1892, when he became associated with the Farmers’ Lumber Company. Mr. Smith is a stockholder and director in the Maple Valley Savings Bank. Socially, he is a member of the K. of P. order. Politically, he is a Republican. He has held most of the township offices, and is now a member of the School Board in Battle Creek. He is a Presbyterian, and is Treasurer and Trustee of the church. Mr. Smith was married March 12, 1876, to Miss Anna L. Jones. They have three children: Alice L., Leonard S., and Raymond E.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.417