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.