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Smith, Stephen (1836-1907)

SMITH

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/13/2016 at 13:15:22

Stephen Smith
(January 28, 1836 - December 29, 1907)

Stephen Smith, now living retired but still residing on his farm on section 27, Grove township, came to Pottawattamie county about the 1st of November 1847. On this day he arrived in Council Bluffs, where he spent the winter. In the following April his father arrived in Macedonia township, bringing his family with him, and there he built the first house within what is now the borders of the township. John Smith, the father, resided there for eight years or more, and in the fall of 1853 or 1854 became a resident of Grove township, settling on section 8, where he continued to reside until his death occurred, in 1870, when he was seventy-two years of age. His remains were interred in the cemetery of the Latter Day Saints in Grove township. He was a farmer by occupation and at one time he built the first saw-mill on Farm creek, which he operated for several years, thus becoming associated with the industrial development as well as the agricultural interests of the county. In politics he was originally a Whig, but upon the dissolution of that party became a Republican. He served for several terms as supervisor from his township and was a member of the county board when the first courthouse at Council Bluffs was built. As a determined pioneer and influential citizen he was well known in this county. His birth had occurred in North Carolina and he had resided for some time in Indiana prior to coming to Iowa. The wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Martha Koonts, was born in Indiana, and from that state they removed to Adams county, Illinois, where the death of Mrs. Smith occurred, in 1840.

Stephen Smith was born in Henry county, Indiana, January 28, 1836. His father wedded a second time, having wedded Miss Sarah Winegar in Adams county, Illinois, after losing his first wife. She accompanied her husband to Pottawattamie county and died here in 1882. By the two marriages there were seven sons and six daughters. Those of the family who came to Pottawattamie county were: Mary, Patience, Hannah, Elizabeth, Lydia, Rhoda, Anna, Stephen, Joseph, Hiram, Carlos and Abraham. Two brothers of the family died in early childhood. Of the children Stephen, Lydia and Abraham are still living, the sister being a resident of Cheyenne county Kansas, while the brother makes his home in northwestern Nebraska.

Stephen Smith was eleven years of age when he came with his father to Pottawattamie county. In Illinois he had attended subscription schools, but owing to the fact that this county was a frontier district in which the homes were widely scattered he had no educational advantages in this locality. He has always followed farming as a life work. In early days he underwent the hardships, privations and experiences incident to pioneer life and performed the arduous task necessary to the development of a new farm , but as the years passed he was very successful and now is enabled to live retired in the enjoyment of all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.

In Mills county, Iowa, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary C. Frain, who was born May 31, 1837, and was brought to Iowa at an early period in its development when about five years of age. The family home was established in Cedar county, where both father and mother died. To her husband she has been a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey and they have reared a family of five children: Henry A., living in Macedonia; George M., of Fremont county, Iowa; Mrs. Clara V. Bogue, of Eagle county, Colorado; Willard E., a farmer of Macedonia township; and Arthur J., at home.

Mr. Smith of this review was reared in the faith of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, but is not connected therewith at the present time. In politics he is an earnest Republican, having supported the party since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has served in various township offices and as township trustee altogether for about seventeen years, a fact which indicates his fidelity to duty and the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellowmen. Wherever known he is held in high esteem and his good qualities entitle him to the record which is uniformly given him, while his close application and industry in business have justly merited the success that has came to him through his farming operations

Page: 1066-1067
Submitted by: Constance Diamond, 2003.
Source: History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, 1907
From the Earliest Historic Times to 1907
By Homer H. Field and Hon. Joseph R. Reed; 1907, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.


 

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