Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 466
NATHAN SMITH, a retired farmer residing on section 33, Goshen Township, was born in Butler County, Pa., in 1834. His parents were Robert and Sarah ( Dunlap ) Smith, and they had a family of nine children, of whom seven grew to man and womanhood : James, who for many years was a resident of this county, died in Kansas in 1883 ; Henry, who followed the profession of teaching for a number of years, is now married and engaged in farming near Independence, Kan.; Rebecca, who became Mrs. Kale, died in this county in 1877 ; William is married, and resides at Washington, Iowa, where he is engaged in stock dealing. He enlisted in Pennsylvania in the late war as a private, but was subsequently promoted to the rank of Major. John, a farmer and stock dealer, is married and resides in Nebraska ; Mary, wife of Harvey Graham, died in January, 1887, at the age of fifty-six years ; Elizabeth died in Pennsylvania, when eight years of age ; and Robert died in that State at the same age. The father of this family was a native of Ireland, and when a young man emigrated to America, locating in Pennsylvania, where he became acquainted with and wedded Sarah Dunlap. In that State he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1836. His excellent wife survived him many years, dying in 1872, at the age of seventy-four. Mr. Smith was a Whig in politics, and took an active interest in political affairs during his young life. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a most estimable lady.

Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, and in the district schools received his education. In early life he learned the trade of a shipbuilder, which he followed for some years, but in 1856 abandoned the trade, and removed to Iowa. The same year he returned to his old home, but in 1861 again came to Muscatine County, where he purchased a partly improved farm, upon which he yet resides. Immediately beginning the work of cultivation and improvement, he now has one of the finest farms in the county, comprising 200 acres of highly cultivated land. Many improvements have been made, and elegant residence has been erected, and one of the best barns in the community built. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, giving considerable attention to the raising of Short-horn cattle and Norman horses. The handsome property which he now owns has all been secured by his own honest efforts, his industry and perseverance, and he has now retired from active life, living upon the fruits of former years.

In Alleghany County, Pa., in 1855, our subject was united in marriage with Eliza McGown, who was born in that State, and is a daughter of Moses and Rosa ( Wallace ) McGown, also natives of Pennsylvania. The father followed the occupation of farming throughout his entire life, his death occurring in 1878. Mrs. McGown is still living, and resides in Pennsylvania. Our subject and his wife have no children of their own, but they have one adopted child, Frank, whom they have reared from infancy. He is a baggage-master on the Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. This worthy couple are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Cedar Valley, of which our subject is one of the Trustees, and is a liberal supporter. He casts his ballot with the Republican party, and has served as Township Trustee and in other local offices. One of the early settlers of Muscatine County, he has witnessed almost its entire growth, and has aided in its developement and cultivation, and has always assisted in its every enterprise for the public good. We are pleased to record his sketch among the best citizens, knowing that he is well deserving of the respect and esteem which is universally accorded.

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