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Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 526]

    WILLIAM P. SMITH has lived from his boyhood in Cherokee County.
    June 15, 1854, he was born in Ontario, Canada, a son of MATTHIAS
    and RUTH (CHRISTY) SMITH.  In his early childhood his parents re-
    moved to De Kalb County, Illinois, where they spent ten years, and
    then removed to Lake City, Iowa; there they remained only one summer,
    and in October, 1869, they came to Cherokee County and located a
    claim on what is now known as Amherst Township, section 22.  WILLIAM
    P. spent his youth in assisting his father on the farm and in acquir-
    ing the best education which the common schools of that day afforded.
    By close application and embracing every opportunity that offered,
    he succeeded in gaining a practical education.  Until twenty-one
    years of age he remained on the farm with his father, assisting as
    only the strength and hope of youth can do; there were many draw-
    backs, such as blizzards, grasshoppers, and trials peculiar to a
    new and unsettled country.  As many times as one hears the story
    of the pioneer life he must be impressed anew with admiration for
    the courage and determination of those who pushed ahead and on to
    victory.  After attaining his majority Mr. SMITH began working by
    the month, and contributed from his earnings for the improvements
    of the home farm.  In 1879 he purchased a tract of eighty acres in
    Amherst Township, and two years later he bought another piece con-
    taining forty acres.  He has erected a good residence, and barns
    for the protection and care of live-stock, and has placed his land
    under good cultivation; he is thrift and prosperous, and is deserving
    of much credit for the advancement he has made, often under adverse
    circumstances.  Politically he is a Republican.  He is a member of
    the I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 339.  Mr. SMITH was united in marriage April
    21, 1886, to Miss EMMA O. SPENCER, a daughter of NORMAN W. and BETSEY
    (HARVEY) SPENCER.  Mrs. SMITH was born in De Kalb County, Illinois,
    March 27, 1861.  Mr. SMITH is an acceptable member of the Methodist
    Episcopal Church.  He and his wife are most worthy people and are
    held in high esteem in the township.

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