EUGENE A. SMITH
Eugene
A. Smith is one of the extensive landowners of Lucas county,
carrying on general farming upon two hundred and forty acres
in Washington township and owning besides a half interest in
three hundred acres in Benton township. He is still active
in the conduct of his farming interests but resides in
Russell, where he owns a modern and well furnished home. He was born in
Muskingum county, Ohio, April 22, 1859, and is a son of Jacob
and Emmeline (Vogel) Smith, the former a native of Muskingum
county, born in March, 1827, and the latter of Germany. The parents moved
to Wapello county, Iowa, making the journey overland in 1862,
and they settled in Blakesburg, where they resided for some
time. On the 26th
of March, 1864, they moved to Lucas county and the father died
on the farm near Russell, on the 26th of April,
1890. The
mother, who was brought to America when she was a few months
old, also passed away in this city. Eight children were born to their union: Augusta, the wife
of Thomas C. Thorne, a farmer in Union township; Mrs. Adelia
Thornbrue, who was born March 12, 1855, and who now resides in
Des Moines, Iowa; C. D., who was born August 5, 1857, and
resides near Russell; Eugene A., of this review; Mrs. Violet
Coen, whose birth occurred February 15, 1861, and who makes
her home in Afton, Iowa; Mrs. Adessa Plotts, who was born
January 25, 1855, and who now resides in Des Moines; one who
died in infancy unnamed; and Algernon, who died at the age of
two years.
Eugene
A. Smith was three years of age when he accompanied his
parents on their overland journey to Iowa. He came with them
to Lucas county in 1864 and here acquired his education. After laying aside
his books he turned his attention to farming and this
occupation he has since followed with gratifying success. He owns today two
hundred and forty acres in Washington township, with a set of
good improvements, and in conjunction with his brother C. D.
Smith has three hundred acres of choice land in Benton
township, this latter property being supplied with excellent
barns and outbuildings and labor-saving machinery. Mr. Smith resides
in Russell, where he owns a comfortable home and where he has
become widely and favorably known as a progressive business
man and public-spirited citizen.
On
the 30th of September, 1885, Mr. Smith married Miss
Carrie W. Lutz, who was born in Bushnell, Illinois, May 14,
1863. She is a
daughter of George and Elizabeth (Ewald) Lutz, natives of
Germany, the former born in Bavaria, August 16, 1829, and the
latter born March 20, 1837.
The father came to America in 1852 and the parents were
married at Bushnell, Illinois, where they resided until 1884,
coming in that year to Lucas county, Iowa, where the father
engaged in farming. Both
have passed away, George Lutz dying at Russell in the home of
his daughter, Mrs. Smith, March 2, 1904, having survived his
wife, who died at Russell, February 3, 1902. Six children were
born to their union: Nicholas,
whose birth occurred January 15, 1861, and who died at
Chariton, May 3, 1912; Mrs. Smith, wife of the subject of this
review; John, who was born June 25, 1866, and who died at
Macon, Missouri, April 20, 1888; George, who was born December
3, 1868, and who resides in South Dakota; Louis, who passed
away at the age of six months; and Mrs. Elizabeth Blanchard,
who was born October 12, 1876, and who resides in Chariton. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
have become the parents of two sons; Guy Walter, who was born
July 21, 1891, who graduated from the Russell high school and
who is at present attending Capital City Commercial College of
Des Moines; and Howard Eugene, whose birth occurred January
14, 1896, and who is attending public school in Russell.
Mr. Smith is a democrat in his political beliefs and served for four years as a member of the school board and for a similar period of time on the city council. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he takes a prominent part. His life is at all times in harmony with his professions and those who know him entertain for him the highest regard because of his admirable qualities of heart and mind.