H. T. SMITH, M. D.
Dr. H. T. Smith acquired his early education in the
public schools of Holmes county, Ohio, whither he had removed
with his parents when he was still a boy. In 1890 the family
settled near Harvard, in Wayne county, and Dr. Smith has been
a resident of this section of Iowa since that time. He worked upon his
father’s farm for a year, but in 1891 entered the Central
Normal University at Humeston and was graduated from the
scientific department in 1893, having taught school during
some of the intervening time in order to pay for his tuition. He had begun the
study of medicine in Humeston and he later completed his
medical course in the Keokuk College of Physicians and
Surgeons, graduating with the class of 1897. Afterward he formed
a partnership with Dr. George McCulloch, of Humeston, for the
practice of his profession and is now a member of the oldest
medical firm in the city, the partners enjoying a deep thinker
and possesses a thorough knowledge of the underlying
principles of his profession, keeping abreast of the most
advanced thought by his reading and his individual research
and investigation. He
is a member of the County, State and American Medical
Societies and conducts the medical examinations for a number
of old line insurance organizations and many fraternal
societies. He
owns his own home in Humeston, which is modern and well
appointed in every particular, and is also the proprietor of
one hundred and twenty acres of fine land in Richman township,
besides being a director in the Humeston State Bank.
In December, 1899, Dr. Smith married Miss Myrna Angel,
who passed away on July 21, 1900. On the 9th of April, 1902,
Dr. Smith was again married, his second wife being Miss Carrie
May Findley, who was born in Allerton, Iowa, March 13, 1882. In this state she
grew to womanhood and was graduated from the Allerton high
school with the class of 1900, after which she taught school
until her marriage. Her
father, George Findley, a native of Ohio, was born in 1857,
and passed away in 1887.
Mrs. Smith’s mother, Hannah Rockwell, was born August
19, 1856, and died in Allerton July 8, 1903. Both parents were
among the early settlers of Wayne county. In their family
were three children, all of whom were born and reared in
Allerton, namely: Carrie
May, the wife of the subject of this review; Orr S., who
resides in Seymour; and James, who passed away in May, 1907. To Dr. and Mrs.
Smith have been born two daughters: Clara Evelyn, whose birth occurred on
the 29th of January, 1903; and Erma Maurine, born
September 3, 1904. Both
are attending the public school. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Christian
church of Humeston.
Fraternally Dr. Smith is affiliated with Fidelity
Lodge, No. 228, A. F. & A. M.; the Brotherhood of American
Yeomen, and the Homesteaders.
He gives his allegiance to the democratic party and has
taken quite a prominent part in public affairs although he has
never been desirous of official preferment. However, he has
been for some time a member of the school board and is acting
as health officer. He
has lived in Wayne county for other twenty years and during
that time his enterprising spirit has made him an important
factor in the general upbuilding.