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Below is a family biography included in History of Lee County, Iowa published by Western Historical Company in 1879. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
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SMITH, ROSWELL J., Recorder of Lee Co.; born in Denmark Tp., Lee Co., Feb. 12, 1841, where he received his education; he has used crutches since he was 4 years of age; yet he educated himself, and when he was 16 years old, began teaching, and when 21 years of age, he had a good horse and saddle and $200 out at interest, all saved from his earnings; he taught ten years, and was engaged in the boot and shoe business ten years, and was elected Recorder in 1876, and re-elected in 1878. Married Miss Carrie A. Sheffield Sept. 3, 1867; she was a native of Indiana, but her childhood was passed in the city of New York; they have two children — Winnifred A. and John Owens; they have lost two children.
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This family biography is one of 668 biographies included in The History of Lee County, Iowa published in 1879. For the complete description, click here: Lee County, Iowa History and Genealogy
View additional Lee County, Iowa family biographies: Lee County, Iowa Biographies
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