Frank E. Smith

SMITH, COVEY

Posted By: Jeanie
Date: 5/18/2005 at 12:42:30

Frank E. Smith.

While it is true that some men inherit greatness and others have greatness thrust upon them, a large number are architects of their own fortunes. The man of this stamp, self-reliant and courageous, building on principal and not on pedigree, start out with the idea that God helps those only who help themselves. He who has faith in his own powers, who is diligent in his calling and has his heart in his work, is on the road to success. By this direct route the subject of the brief notice reached his present high position as book-keeper, and to a good degree, business manager in the Toledo City Bank. He is a native of Ohio, and was born in that State in Seneca County, town of Republic, on the 17th day of May, 1848, and is the son of G. G. and A. Z. (Covey) Smith. His father was a mechanic and farmer.

Frank E. remained at home with his parents attending school until the year 1864, when he quit home and went to Sandusky Ohio, and enlisted as a private in the 191st Ohio, and went to the army – though but sixteen years of age, by his earnest solicitation he was permitted to enter, after which he was with his regiment from 1864 until the close of the war.

In the fall of 1865, Mr. Smith emigrated to this State and settled in Garden Grove, Decatur County. From that time to 1867 he spent his time attending school and teaching. During the next four years he clerked for D. & A. B. Stearns, and in 1871 he attended the Commercial College at Pittsburgh, graduated and received his diploma. During 1872 he was book-keeper for the firm of Boyle, Woodbury & Boyle. In 1873 he taught the Intermediate Department of the school at Garden Grove. He lived in Garden Grove until the year 1874 when he moved to Toledo, Iowa, where he remained in the Land and Loan office of Nelson & Barker, as book-keeper, until May, 1878, when he relinquished his position in that office to accept the place of assistant cashier of the Toledo City Bank, of Toledo, Iowa. In so doing he gave up one of the best clerkships in the County, and one which he filled for several years. The proprietors of the City Bank have good reason to congratulate themselves on securing the services of so competent an assistant. In his business transactions he has shown himself to be a man of first-class business qualifications, and an indefatigable worker. As a book-keeper he has earned the enviable reputation of being one of the best in this part of the State. His books are models of neatness and accuracy.

From the History of Tama County, Iowa. by Samuel D. Chapman. Printed at the Toledo Times Office. 1879. Pages 172 to 173.