STEPHEN SMITH.
Stephen Smith, now living retired but still residing on his farm on section
27, Grove township, came to Pottawattamie county about the 1st of
November, 1847. On this day he arrived in Council Bluffs, where he spent
the winter. In the following April his father arrived in Macedonia township,
bringing his family with him, and there he built the first house within what
is now the borders of the township. John Smith, the father, resided there for
eight years or more, and in the fall of 1853 or 1854 became a resident of
Grove township, settling on section 8, where he continued to reside until hid
death occurred, in 1870, when he was seventy-two years of age. His remains
were interred in the cemetery of the Latter Day Saints in Grove township.
He was a farmer by occupation and at one time he built the first saw-mil!
on Farm creek, which he operated for several years, thus becoming associated
with the industrial development as well as the agricultural interests of the
county In politics be was originally a whig, but upon the dissolution of
that party became a republican. He served for several terms as supervisor
from his township and was a member of the county board when the first
courthouse at Council Bluffs was built. As a determined pioneer and influential
citizen he was well known in this county. His birth had occurred in
North Carolina and he had resided for some time in Indiana prior to coming
to Iowa. The wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Martha Koonts,
was born in Indiana, and from that state they removed to Adams county,
Illinois, where the death of Mrs. Smith occurred, in 1840.
Stephen Smith was born in Henry county, Indiana, January 28, 1836.
His father wedded a second time, having wedded Miss Sarah Winegar in
Adams county, Illinois, after losing his first wife. She accompanied her husband
to Pottawattamde county and died here in 1882. By the two marriages
there were seven sons and six daughters. Those of the family who came to
Pottawattamie county were: Mary, Patience, Hannah, Elizabeth, Lydia,
Rhoda, Anna, Stephen, Joseph, Hiraim, Carlos and Abraham. Two brothers
of the family died in early childhood. Of the children Stephen, Lydia and
Abraham are still living, the sister being a resident of Cheyenne county;
Kansas, while the brother makes his home in northwestern Nebraska.
Stephen Smith was eleven years of age when he came with his father to
Pottawattamie county. In Illinois he had attended subscription schools, but
owing to the fact that this county was a frontier district in which- the homes wore widely scattered he had no educational advantages in this locality. He
has always followed fanning as a life work. In early days he underwent the
hardships, privations and experiences incident to pioneer life and performed
the arduous task necessary to the development of a new farm, but as the years
p -ssed he was very successful and now is enabled to live retired in the enjoy-
rfTent of all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
In Mills county, Iowa, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary C. Frain;
who was born May 31, 1837, and was brought to Iowa at an early period
in its development when about five years of age. The family home was established
in Cedar county, where both her father and mother died. To her
husband she has been a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey
and they have reared a family of five children : Henry A., living in Macedonia;
George M., of Fremont county, Iowa; Mrs. Clara V. Bogue, of Eagle
county, Colorado; Willard E., a farmer of Macedonia township; and Arthur
J., at home.
Mr. Smith of this review was reared in the faith of the Church of the
L-atter Day Saints, but is not connected therewith at the present time. In
politics he is an earnest republican, having supported the party since casting
his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has served in various
township offices and as township trustee altogether for about seventeen years,
a fact which indicates his fidelity to duty and the confidence and trust reposed
in him by his fellowmen. Wherever known he is held in high esteem and
his good qualities entitle him to the record which is uniformly given him,
while his close application and industry in business have justly merited the
success that has came to him through his farming operations. ref. History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa By Homer Howard Field, Joseph Rea Reed, S.J. |
