SMITH, Eli - 1890 Bio (1812-1906)

SMITH, JAMES, TOOTHACHER, CHILLISTER, HICKENBOTTOM, MOBLEY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/26/2007 at 20:40:58

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 505-506

Eli SMITH, a pioneer of Jefferson County of 1846, and a representative citizen of Fairfield, claims Ohio as the State of his nativity. He was born in Delaware County, October 20 1812, his parents being Samuel and Mary SMITH both of whom were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church though the former in early life belonged to the Society of Friends. The father was born in Loudoun County, Va., and was one of a family of twenty-one children. His grandfather was a preacher of the Quaker belief and our subject was reared in accordance with that doctrine. His mother was of English and Irish descent but her place of birth is not known to the writer. Samuel SMITH removed from Virginia to Delaware County, Ohio, in 1801, while that region was a part of the Northwest Territory. The Quaker hostility to the institution of slavery led to the emigration of the family from a slave State to a free Territory.

When Eli SMITH was seven years of age he accompanied his parents to Belmont County of the same State, where he was reared on a farm, and where, in 1834, he was married to Miss Mary Ann JAMES, who was also reared in the faith of the Society of Friends. Eleven children were born of their union but only two of the number, a son and daughter, grew to mature years. The daughter, Sidney, is the wife of Oliver TOOTHACHER and resides in Nebraska, while William R., married Mina CHILLISTER and is living on the old home farm in Lockbridge (sic - Lockridge) Township, Jefferson County. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. SMITH removed with his family to Guernsey County, Ohio, and there made his home until 1846, when he emigrated to Iowa. He at first settled in Lee County, near West Point, but after raising one crop removed to Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, where he was successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising for some years.

In November, 1849, Mr. SMITH lost his wife and in March, 1850, was married in that township to Miss Elizabeth HICKENBOTTOM, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca HICKENBOTTOM and a native of Kentucky. Her parents were born in Adair County, Ky., removed thence to Morgan County, Ill., in 1828, and ten years later came to Jefferson County. In the spring of 1839, they settled in Lockridge Township, being among the earliest pioneers of that region. Mr. and Mrs. HICKENBOTTOM were parents of eleven children, but only four of the number are residents of Jefferson County. The mother was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her death occurred in 1861, and in 1864 Mr. HICKENBOTTOM wedded Mrs. Dr. MOBLEY, the widow of one of the pioneer physicians of Jefferson County. He was a farmer by occupation and a very just and upright man and in political sentiment was a supporter of the Democracy. His death occurred in 1882 and his wife survived him but two years.

Eli SMITH, whose name heads this sketch, continued farming in Lockridge Township until 1879, when, retaining the ownership of the farm, he retired from active work and removed to Fairfield where he has since resided. For a number of years he cast his ballot for the Republican party but during the last few years has advocated the principles of the Democracy. Socially, he is a Royal Arch Mason, belonging to Clinton Lodge No. 15. A. F. & A. M. and McCord Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., both of Fairfield. He still owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Clark County, Iowa, which is operated by a tenant. Mr. SMITH has now been a resident of Jefferson County for forty-six years and has always been known as a man of industrious habits, upright in his business relation, and kind and accomodating to his neighbors; such a man as people respect and whose long life of usefullness leaves the world the better for his having been in it.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.