West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
JOHN S. SMITH

John S. Smith was born in Beaver Co. Pennsylvania, October 7, 1812. In 1834 he married Rachel Beeson of Columbiana county, Ohio. Both were of Quaker parentage. To them were born seven children. In 1853 plans were made to go to Iowa to make a new home, but before they were ready to start the mother died. So in 1854 John undertook the long journey with his little family of motherless children, Ellis, the youngest, being about three years old. They made the trip in a covered wagon and were about five weeks on the road.

They settled on an eighty acre farm about five miles northwest of West Liberty. This farm was bought from the government and the grant was signed by President Franklin Pierce. During the operation of the " underground railroad," John Smith's place was one of the stations.

After his family had grown he came to West Liberty where he passed the remainder of his life. He died in 1901. His son, Ellis was in business here for a number of years, a grandson, H. J. Smith, was a pioneer in the automibile and radio business, and a great-grandson, Wayne Irey conducts a confectionary.

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