Smith, Edgar A.

SMITH

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/2/2021 at 20:50:40

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.602

EDGAR ALBERT SMITH
On a farm not far from Ackworth lives E. A. Smith, whose home stands on section 22, Lincoln Township. There in the raising and feeding of stock and in the cultivation of the fields he has gained an excellent reputation as an enter­prising agriculturist and one whose success has come to him as the result of earnest, persistent and honorable effort. His farm comprises almost two hun­dred acres of land and looking abroad over the place one can easily see that it is well equipped with all those features which differentiate the model farm from the one of second-class improvements.
Mr. Smith was born in Poweshiek County, Iowa, February 12, 1857, and is a son of Richard Smith, now living retired in Indianola, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. The home farm of Poweshiek remained his playground in youth and his training school for life's practical duties. His primary education was obtained in the district schools and later he attended the Montezuma high school. For a number of years he engaged in teaching and later he devoted the winter months to that profession, while in summer seasons he carried on farm work. He was married in Poweshiek County, March 7, 1877, to Miss Lucy May Higgins, who was born in Johnson County, Iowa, a daughter of Jesse Higgins, one of the pioneers of Ohio. Mrs. Smith, however, was largely reared in Poweshiek County, Iowa, where the young couple began their domestic life and made their home for two years after their marriage. On the expiration of that period, Mr. Smith removed to Audubon County, where he purchased land and improved the farm, making it his home for twenty-two years. With the opening of spring he took his place in the fields and prepared the soil for the crops. Then followed the planting and cultivation and in due time the harvest and thus year after year he added something to his possessions.
In 1901, however, he sold that property and came to Warren County, where he bought two hundred and forty acres of land. This he began to farm and further improve, but later he sold out forty acres of this tract. While living upon this farm he rebuilt, repaired and remodeled the house and now has a most comfortable residence. He has also built a good barn and has divided the places into fields of convenient sizes by well kept fences, some of which are constructed of woven wire. The traveler passing by in the spring, summer and late autumn, cannot but be delighted with the appear­ance of the fields as the fresh green of spring is transformed into the darker tints of midsummer, followed by the golden colors that indicate the harvest and the reward of labor. In addition to his farming Mr. Smith raises and feeds stock and makes a specialty of hogs and horses, keeping on hand high grades of both. He also has some pure-blooded shorthorn cattle.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born eight children: Maggie D., the wife of V. A. Dunbar, a resident of Canada, by whom she has five sons; Ida C., the wife of O. Bickelhaupt, of Silver Lake, Kansas; Bertha May, the wife of Arthur Perry, a farmer of Lincoln Township, Delno E., who assists in carry­ing on the home farm; Elva G., Collard 0., Mona B., and Oda V., all yet at home.
Mr. Smith votes with the Republican Party, which he has supported since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. While in Audubon County he served for two years as assessor. He has also been justice of the peace for a number of years and has served on the school board both in Warren and Audubon Counties. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Indianola and their many good qualities of heart and mind have endeared them to all with whom they have been brought in contact. Mr. Smith deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in the busi­ness world. He started out in life empty-handed and has worked diligently and persistently to attain the success which is now his. He has helped to improve three farms and from his labors he has himself received substantial benefits. The success which he now enjoys is a visible evidence of his life of industry and sound judgment, and it proves most clearly what others may accomplish if they possess the will to dare and to do.