For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 448
ELLIS D. SMITH....Through the years of an active business life Ellis D. Smith has demonstrated his ability as a man of affairs and his worth as a citizen and today he occupies an enviable position as one of the substantial men of Muscatine county. The success he has attained is a striking example of the effect of an energetic life governed by worthy ambition. He was born in Meigs county, Ohio, April 12, 1851, a son of John S, and Rachel ( Beeson ) Smith. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and removed with his parents to Ohio when a boy and thence to Indiana. He came to Iowa in 1854 and for twenty-seven years cultivated a farm near Centerdale, Cedar county. In 1881 he retired to West Liberty, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1892. The mother passed away when the subject of this review was in his infancy. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, namely Richard B. and John, both of California ; Anna B., now of Iowa City, ; Mary, of Mediapolis, Iowa ; and Ellis D., the subject of this review.Educated in the district schools of Cedar county, Ellis D. Smith remained at the parental home until he arrived at the age of twenty-four years, assisting his father and becoming thoroughly acquainted with all the work pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising. He began on his own account upon a farm four miles north of West Liberty and continued there for twenty-seven years, devoting his attention on quite an extensive scale to stock-feeding. Nine years ago he sold his place and moved to West Liberty, where he has since resided. He is the owner of eight hundred acres of land in Canada, at one time being in possession of six sections in that country. He also owns a handsome residence and a feed store in West Liberty.
In 1876 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Emmeline Fenstemaker and to them two children were born : Maude L., a graduate of the State University at Iowa City, and now engaged in teaching school ; and Harold J., who married Miss Hazel Henderson and is engaged in the automobile business in West Liberty.
Mr. Smith from the time of reaching manhood has given his support to the republican party and sincerely believes that its principles are better adapted than those of any other party to advance the true interests of the state and nation. He is an earnest friend of education and while living on his farm served as secretary, treasurer and president of the school board at various times. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic Lodge at West Liberty and in religious belief he and his wife give their adherence to the Unitarian church. Of him it may truly be said that he has achieved success through honorable means, never seeking to advance his personal interests to the injury of others. He has been intimately connected with the development of Muscatine county and many with whom he has come in contact will always have reason to remember him with gratituse.
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