My Genealogy Hound

IRA SMITH, the leading furniture dealer of Franklin, Franklin county, Nebr., was born in the State of Maine, December 8, 1831, and is a son of Owen and Anna (Fenderson) Smith, both of whom were natives of the State of Maine, where they lived a happy life together until, growing tired, they peacefully fell into that long sleep that knows no waking. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Daniel and Mary Smith; and the maternal grandparents were John and Dolly Fenderson, all natives of Maine.

The subject of this biographical sketch is the third son in a family of nine children, named as follows — Moses, Charles, Ira, Colby, Allen, Harriet, Louise, Lavina and Ann. Mr. Smith, having learned the carpenter trade in his native state, started West in 1856 and settled in Jasper county, Iowa, where he continued to follow his trade. In 1857 he took as a life companion Miss Annie Slater, daughter of Thomas Slater, a native of England. Three boys have been born to this worthy couple, which they have named — Charles W., Ira E., and Thomas O. Mr. Smith continued to follow his trade until September 11, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, Second Iowa cavalry, and went out to defend the grand old stars and stripes. His war life was a very hazardous one. Being of a bold and daring nature, he took many risks while on scout duty, and was in many close places and took desperate chances to escape capture. On one occasion, while alone, he was attacked by a dozen of the enemy, but he refused to surrender and escaped without a scratch. He was with Grierson on his noted raid to Baton Rouge and went with Hatch on his detour to lead the rebels off from Grierson’s rear. He was never absent from duty and was continuously engaged in all those dangerous duties pertaining to the cavalry service, and was honorably discharged in November, 1864. After his discharge he returned to his home in Iowa, where he resided till 1878, when he moved to Kansas and remained there for a few years. In 1882 he came to Nebraska, settling in Franklin, where he built the house he now occupies, and engaged in the furniture business. He is at present doing a furniture and undertaking business, and leads the trade in that line in the town. By honesty and fair dealing he has built up a fine business, and has the confidence of the entire community. When Ira Smith tells his customers the quality of a piece of furniture, they know that it is what he represents it to be and act accordingly. He is a member of the Ben. Franklin Post, G. A. R. As will be seen from his ancestral record, Mr. Smith is of the old Maine stock, and is as stanch a republican as the great Maine statesman, James G. Blaine.