SMITH, N. A.

SMITH, SEVERS, FALK, EKHOLM, BLACK

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/23/2003 at 19:18:22

Biography reproduced from page 540 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

N. A. Smith is one of the extensive agriculturists and enterprising citizens of Wesley township, where he owns and operates two hundred acres of land, located on section 9. He is one of Iowa’s native sons, his birth having occurred in Warren county, on the 20th of April, 1877. His father, J. M. Smith, was born in Wapello county, this state, whence he later removed with his parents, who originally came from Tennessee, to Warren county. There he subsequently met and married Miss Nancy Severs, who was born in Indiana but was brought to Iowa by her parents while still in her infancy. In 1891 Mr. Smith removed with his wife and family to Kossuth county, locating on a farm three miles east of Algona. Later they became residents of Seneca township, where he continued his agricultural pursuits for thirteen years. He has now withdrawn from active work and he and the mother are living on their farm in Greenwood township, Kossuth county. Our subject is the eldest son and second child born to his parents, whose family numbered fifteen, twelve of whom are living. The others are as follows: Nellie, who became the wife of Conrad Falk, of Salem, Oregon; Luther, who is a mail carrier in Des Moines; Bertha, the widow of Philip Ekholm, of Kossuth county; Walter, who is a resident of Swea township; and Harry, Floyd, Ralph and Raymond, all of whom are at home.

N. A. Smith pursued his education in the common schools of Warren county until he was a youth of fourteen years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Irvington township, this county. As the eldest son of the family he early began to assist his father, remaining at home until he was twenty-one, when he started out to make his own way in the world. For a year thereafter he worked out by the month, but at the end of that time he began farming for himself. He was young, but ambitious and earnest of purpose, and persistently and intelligently applied himself to the achievement of a definite purpose, meeting with success in the development of his interests. In 1905, he located on his present farm on section 9, and has ever since devoted himself to its further improvement and cultivation. During the seven years of his residence here he has wrought many changes in the place, and has greatly enhanced its appearance and value by the erection of new buildings, and the remodeling and repairing of those standing. His fields are carefully tilled and by the rotation of crops kept in a high state of productivity. That Mr. Smith is progressive and enterprising in his methods is evidenced by the general appearance and condition of his farm, which is equipped with all modern appliances and implements, essential to modern agriculture.

In 1903, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Edna M. Black, and to them have been born three children: Leona May; James Hugh, deceased; and Harriet Emeline.

The religious faith of the parents is manifested through their membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are regular attendants. Mr. Smith takes an active interest in local political affairs, giving his support to the republican party, and is serving his first term as trustee. He is interested in everything pertaining to the progress and development of this section and was one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator Company of Wesley, and has ever since served on its board of directors.