My Genealogy Hound

FRANCIS A. SMITH, one of the substantial and enterprising citizens of Johnson County, owns an improved farm on section 15, township 46, range 29. A man of unostentatious and quiet life, he has made it his main business to attend to the wants of his family and the proper management of his farm. He is now living upon what is known as the old Howard Place, which was settled upon over forty-five years ago. This tract Mr. Smith purchased some four years ago. It comprises one hundred and ninety-one acres, and is devoted to fruit and stock raising.

Our subject is the son of Samuel M. Smith, who is at present living in Atchison County, this state, where he is one of its substantial residents. He was formerly from Ohio, and prior to coming to this state lived for one year in Indiana. He married Miss Amanda Silket, also a native of the Buckeye State, who departed this life when twenty-nine years of age. At the time of that sad event our subject was a lad of ten years and the eldest of a family of four children. The others were Granville M.; Anna K., living in Lodena, Ill.; and Louella, also a resident of that place.

The subject of this sketch was born March 22, 1859, in Adams County, Ohio. On the death of his mother he began to do for himself first working out on farms, but later found employment as clerk in a store. He was very observant and quick to learn, so that, although prevented from attending school very regularly when young, he gained a good, practical knowledge of business in various lines, which has been of benefit to him in later years. He married Nancy A. Handley, of this state, in 1882. They have four children, all of whom are at home, and are named as follows: Jennie, Blanche, Glessie and Geneva.

Since taking possession of the Howard Place our subject has made many improvements in the way of buildings, etc., and in prosecuting his business as a fruit and stock grower employs a number of men. He is a very hard worker himself, and although having settled here only four years ago, is well known and highly respected. He is in no sense an office-seeker, but always votes for candidates of the Republican party. A man of progressive ideas, he is ever in touch with the progress made in agriculture.