Fred Smith was born in Germany, Aug. 19, 1832, and emigrated to the United States with his father in 1834. They landed at New Orleans and from there went to Pittsburg, Pa., where they resided one year, then removed to Ripley County, Ind. In 1867 they came to Clayton County, Ia., and settled near Garnavillo, where our subject remained ten years; then purchased his present farm in section 35, Boardman Township. He owns a finely cultivated farm of 315 acres, and has made many excellent improvements on his land. On March 9, 1858, he was married to Harriet Torey, who was born June 25, 1839, in Riga, Monroe County, N.Y. Her father was born in Hinsdale, Mass., March 23, 1809, and died Jan. 10, 1880 in Clayton City, Ia., Of his children the following named are living: Julia Ann, born Dec. 21, 1831; Emily, Oct. 6, 1833; Alvin, June 19, 1835; Henry N., May 22, 1837; Mrs. Smith, William H., June 25, 1841; and Ezelia, April 27, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had seven children-- Melinda, born April 30, 1859; Kate June 29, 1864, Fred, born March 11, 1868, and died March 27, 1873; Elizabeth, born May 31, 1871; Fred, Feb. 8, 1874; Le Roy, Oct. 19, 1876, and George, April 7, 1880. Mrs. Smith's grandfather, Benjamin Torey, died in Garnavillo, Ia., Dec. 27, 1875, ages 97 years and 19 days. In politics the subject of this record is a Republican, and is one of the representative men of the county. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 669-670 |