Twice-A-Week News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
1898

A. I. SMITH, the subject of this sketch, was born July 9, 1868, in Mt. Calm county, Mich., and came with his parents to Iowa in 1869, settling in Ringgold county. As they lived near the Taylor county line and the school house was nearer than the one in this county [Ringgold], Mr. SMITH attended the Taylor county schools and obtained his early education there.

At the age of 17 years he went to Amity college, College Springs, graduating therefrom in 1887, afterwards spending a year at the Shenandoah college.

He engaged in farming and teaching school for two years, thereafter, being very successful and accumulating considerable money. Then he sold out his farm, stock, etc., and engaged in business with R. S. SPURRIER at Clearfield under the firm name of SPURRIER & SMITH, carrying on a general store. While thus engaged he served one term as mayor of the city. He then sold out his business interests and bought 240 acres of land in Ringgold county [rest of article missing].

NOTE: A. I. SMITH died September 4, 1936, and was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010