Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 521
JOHN SMITH, the third settler of Goshen Township, now residing on section 33, was born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1822, and was the fifth in a family of eight children born to Jarret and Elizabeth (Evitt) Smith, who were natives of Ireland, born in County Armanagh. In 1815 they emigrated to this country, and after reaching its shores took up their residence in Canada, where they remained one year. At the expiration of that time they removed to New York, where they resided for two years, and then went to Pennsylvania, making their home in that State for six years. In 1852 they continued their journey to Muscatine County, Iowa, locating in Wapsinonoc Township, where the father engaged in farming until his death in 1877, at the age of eighty-five years. After the death of her husband, although quite an old lady, Mrs. Smith made a trip to California. She died in this county in 1887, at the very advanced age of ninety-seven years. Mr. Smith supported the Democratic party, politically, but was never a poltician.

Our subject was reared to farm life, and in the district schools of Licking County, Ohio, received his education. He there began life for himself as a farmer, and in 1846 was united in marriage with Catherine Davis, who was born in Morgan County, and is a daughter of Isaac and Mary (McLean) Davis, who were also natives of the Buckeye State. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Morgan County. His death occurred in 1848, and Mrs. Davis departed this life in 1876. The young couple began their domestic life, upon a farm, and resided in Ohio until 1849, when they removed to Muscatine County, Iowa, locating upon the farm which still continues to be their home. Purchasing forty acres of raw prairie land, upon which were no improvements, Mr. Smith began life in this county. He rented a house into which the family moved until a home could be erected, and he at once began the cultivation and improvement of the tract which he had purchased. As time passed he bought another forty acres, later purchased 120 acres, afterward an 80-acre tract, and again he made a fifth purchase, this time becoming the owner of forty acres, making an aggregate of 320 acres. This land is now under a good state of cultivation, and comprises one of the best farms in the community. Many ornamental and useful improvements have been made, and everything about the place denotes that the owner is a man of progressive ideas, thrift and enterprise. He carries on general farming, and also gives considerable attention to the raising of stock, making a specialty of buying and shipping cattle. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican, having supported that party since its organization. He has held various offices of public trust in the township, and is now serving as Road Commissioner.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith eight children have been born, seven of whom are living: Martin, who is married and resides in Pike Township; William, who is married and lives in Dakota; Sophronia, wife of Rev. McGowdy, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now in Dakota; Mary, wife of W. E. Whitney, a jeweler; John, who died in 1866, at the age of ten years; Rowena, now Mrs. Ranshaw, who resides in Pike Township; Davis, who is married and also resides in Pike Township; and Rhoda, the youngest, who is now the wife of L. C. Hadley, and resides in Dakota. Mr. Smith was the third permanent settler of Goshen Township, having arrived in this community when the county was almost in its primitive state, when the smoke of the Indian wigwams had scarcely blown away, or the deer startled from its lair. He endured all the trials and privations incident to pioneer life, and has aided greatly in the work of transformation which has been continually carried forward until this county now holds rank with any in Iowa. He has made liberal donations to the church and schools, has taken an active part in every good cause, and is one of the prominent men of the township.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page