My Genealogy Hound

P. M. Smith, an extensive dealer in furniture, hardware and agricultural implements, is one of the leading business men of Kirksville. He warn born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1842, and was reared in his native county. His war service began in 1861, in the Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he was afterward made second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and finally in August, 1862, was given a captain’s commission which he retained until the close. In his war experience he was wounded at Cumberland Gap, Arkansas Post, and Chickasaw Bluffs. He located at Bloomfield, Iowa, after the war, and taught public school for one term. After their marriage they went to Kirksville in 1866, where he engaged in general house and bridge contracting for about ten years. He was then elected sheriff of Adair County, and re-elected in 1878. He embarked in his present furniture trade in 1880 and for six years handled furniture exclusively, but he has since added a complete line of hardware and agricultural implements. He occupies two rooms each 26x126 feet, and carries a stock of about $20,000. His wife. Mary Saner, is a native of Ohio, and was reared at Bloomfield, Iowa. Their three daughters have all graduated from the State Normal, at Kirksville. Our subject is the eldest of eight children, five of whom are now living, born to John M. and Catharine (Griner) Smith, who were married in Wayne County, Ohio, in which county they were both reared after their births in Pennsylvania. They moved to Iowa in 1860, and have since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.