Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-James Smith


Portrait and Biographical Album
of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890




JAMES SMITH This worthy pioneer of Garfield Township came to this country when the high prairie in this part of the township was Government land upon which few white settlers had located. He homesteaded 160 acres, in July 1869, and with his wife and children took up his abode in a cottonwood shanty which he erected, 12x16 feet in dimensions. They occupied this about four years and in the meantime Mr. Smith planted trees and broke a part of the sod. He had been accompanied hither by his brother, Robert E. whom he now left in charge of his place while he returned to St. Louis, in order to earn money needed for further improvements and the necessities of the family. He held possession of his property from that time on, being prospered in his labors, and in due time added to his worldly possessions until he had 320 acres, the most of which is in a productive condition and yields to the proprietor a comfortable income. He makes a specialty of live stock and may be looked upon as a success in farming, while as a citizen, no man stands higher in his community.

A native of Tariffville, Conn., Mr. Smith was born March 3, 1839, and lived there with his parents until a lad of seven years. The latter were John and Margaret (Sinclair) Smith, natives of Scotland. The father spent his last years in Massachusetts, the mother, at the home of our subject in Kansas. In 1846 they removed to Essex County, Mass., where James was reared and learned shoemaking. At the age of sixteen years, however, with the natural longing of youth for change and adventure, he embarked as a common sailor on an ocean vessel and followed the sea until the spring of 1861, in the meantime spending two summers at Grand Bank. He was mostly in the merchant service. His experience as a sailor brought him in contact with people from all countries.

Mr. Smith left his last ship at Gloucestershire, and in April, 1861, after the outbreak of the Civil War, joined a military company and took his first lessons in drilling. After the first of May following, he enlisted as a Union soldier in Company C, 17th Massachusetts Infantry and for three years thereafter served in that and Company I, until the expiration of his first term of enlistment. He then veteranized and continued in the army until after the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge in July, 1865. He participated in several engagements in North Carolina and was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. Although not being in any of the important battles of the war he had his full share of privation and hardship, but fortunately came out unharmed.

Returning now to Lynn, Mass., Mr. Smith engaged in the shoe business until the spring of 1868. Then not being satisfied with his prospects, financially, he determined upon seeking the Great West and we next find him in St. Louis. Mo., where he engaged as a shoe dealer and was married to Miss Hannah M. Tufts. In the fall of 1869 he came to Kansas and his subsequent operations we have already indicated. His brother. Robert, already spoken of, located land adjoining that of James, upon which he lived until his decease Nov. 6, 1887. Mrs. Smith was born in Massachusetts. March 2. 1848 and is the daughter of Joseph W. and Martha F. (Abbott) Tufts, who were likewise natives of the Bay State. The mother spent her last years in Peabody. The father is still living. To our subject and his good wife there have been born six children, all living, and named respectively, Clarence E., Lewis A., Jennie T., Maggie W.. Archie W. and Roger 0. Mr. Smith cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln and gives his support to the Republican party. He served as Trustee and belongs to Phil Sheridan Post, No. 88, G. A. R. at Clay Center; the K. of P.; St. Elmo Lodge of Palmer, No. 61; the A. O. U. W., Palmer Lodge, No. 166, and the Select Sherman Legion No. 61 of Palmer. Among the portraits of prominent citizens of Clay County, the reader will be pleased to notice that of Mr. Smith, who occupies a conspicuous position in both social and business circles.






(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure

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