My Genealogy Hound

Robert Smith, who carries on general farming on a tract of land of eighty acres on section 30, Sand Creek township, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1857. His father, George F. Smith, was a native of England, where he was reared to manhood. Attracted by the opportunities of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic to America, settling in Pennsylvania, where he wedded Miss Elizabeth Wonders, also a native of England. He was a mechanical and stationary engineer and continued a resident of Pennsylvania up to the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1865. His wife survived him and later removed to Henry county, Illinois.

It was there that Robert Smith was reared to manhood, his boyhood days being spent upon the home farm, and after he had reached adult age he engaged in farming near Knox county, Illinois, for several years. One of the more important steps in his life record was taken in Harrison county, Missouri, July 5, 1878, when he wedded Miss Letitia Gard, who was born and reared in Illinois. Thus establishing a home of his own, Mr. Smith engaged in farming in Knox county, Illinois, until 1882, when, thinking to find still better opportunities in Iowa, he came to this state and settled in Union county not far from Creston. There he cultivated rented land for six years and in the meantime carefully saved his earnings. He then removed to Sand Creek township, where he carried on farming for two years, and in 1890 removed to Nebraska, establishing his home in Red Willow county. There he continued for six months, after which he removed to Harrison county, Missouri, where he carried on farming for a year. In the fall of 1891 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres on section 30, Sand Creek township, and it has since been his home. He has given his time and energies to its further development and improvement and upon the farm has erected a commodious residence in attractive style of architecture. There are also fair buildings upon the place and he has planted evergreen and ornamental trees which add much to the attractive appearance as well as to the value of the place. He raises corn, wheat and other crops, likewise conducts a dairy business and is engaged in raising and feeding stock.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have six children: Grace, now the wife of Lewis Brock, a farmer of Sand Creek township; Julia Ann, at home; Robert H., Ralph H., Gladys A. and Bessie M., all yet under the parental roof. They have also lost several children, including their first born, Charles, who died in infancy. The death of Mabel was occasioned by a stroke of lightning on the home farm when she was twelve years of age, while George F. died at the age of eight years and Minnie when three years of age. Mr. Smith is an exemplary member of the Modern Woodmen and his wife is a faithful member of the Congregational church. He votes with the republican party and has filled the office of road supervisor. He has also been officially connected with the schools and is now serving as secretary of the school board. He is a man of good business capacity and of strict integrity, who enjoys the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He has worked hard and persistently to achieve the success which is now his and his farm is the visible evidence of his life of earnest, persevering labor.