My Genealogy Hound

MARION H. SMITH was born in Marion county, Iowa, in 1859. His father, Joseph Smith, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1834, and moved from there to Indiana, and from there to Iowa, and thence to California, locating in Woodland. He was a wagon-maker by trade, he married Elizabeth Neal, in 1854. She was a native of Ohio, born in 1839, and to this union four children were born — Jennie and William, who live in California; Marion, the subject of this sketch, and Cleo, now living in Indiana. Marion, at the tender age of ten, began to do for himself. The first twelve years of his self-dependency were spent in Missouri and Iowa, and from the latter state he migrated to Nebraska, in 1882, and remained in the state three years, in the employ of S. E. Black; then went to Denver, Colo. He spent the summer in Denver, and was there engaged at the stock-yards, at $30 per month. By additional money, earned by doing errands, at the end of three months he had saved about $125. He decided to return home on a visit, but on his way was robbed of his money. He consequently sought work, and was employed by S. R. Black, with whom he remained for six years. He gained the entire confidence of Mr. Black and all with whom he dealt. His word is considered as good as a bankable note. By frugality and good management, Mr. Smith, although young, has amassed a competency for himself and family the remainder of their lives. He owns one hundred and sixty-five acres of excellent land, town property, and a well established business. He married Mary Cox, a native of Missouri, in 1888. She is the daughter of Noah and Louise (Packer) Cox, the former a native of Indiana, born in 1887; the latter a native of Illinois, born in 1836, To Mr. and Mrs. Smith one child has been born to cheer their home — Cleo, born December 17, 1888. Although Mr. Smith is not enthusiastic in politics, he is immutably a republican.