Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-Mary J. Smith
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
MRS. MARY J. SMITH has, since the spring of 1871, been a resident of Exeter Township, Clay County, her fine farm of 160 acres being located on section 21. There she has established a comfortable home, where, surrounded by loving children, and a host of warm friends, and in the midst of home and social duties,she expects to pass the evening of her useful and worthy life. On another page of the Album appears a lithographic engraving of her residence, which is commodious and conveniently arranged, and the abode of peace and hearty hospitality. It has been her home is above mentioned, since the year 1871, when the family removed from Junction City, where they had previously made their home, to the farm, which had been taken up by Mr. Smith under the Homestead Act. The work upon the place was principally done by the boys, the father being a tinner, and carrying on his trade at Junction City, in connection with the oversight of the estate.
Mrs. Smith is a daughter of Elijah and Dorcas Barnes, the father a native of New Hampshire, though reared in Vermont, and the mother a native of the Buckeye State. The parental family comprised five children, four of whom are now living. They are: Mrs. Smith; Martha A., the wife of G. C. Martin, of Chicago; Buell, of Dickinson County, Kan.; and Hattie M., wife of C. Kezeler, of Chicago. She of whom we write, was born in McDonough County, Ill., April 1, 1838, and was reared to maturity in Will County, to which her parents removed when she was an infant twelve months old. She received a common-school education, and at the age of fourteen, engaged as a compositor in aprinting office, following that employment most of the time until her marriage.
On April 15, 1856, Mary J. Barnes was united in marriage with Henry W. Smith, a son of Archibald and Miranda Smith, and born in the Empire State, Aug. 29, 1832. The happy union resulted in the birth of eleven children, seven of whom are now living: Effie W. is the wife of C. Maher, and live sin Colorado; Warren N. resides in Argentine, Kan.; Clara M., is the wife of J. B. Kiner, of this township; Wade A. lives in Athelstane Township; Herbert N., Mattie D., and Henry N., are their mother's companions on the home farm.
In the fall of 1869 Mr. Smith came from Illinois to Kansas, his wife following him the next spring, and Junction City being their home until, as before stated, they removed to the farm. Mr. Smith served in the army during the late Civil War, for a period of about four months. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a man of excellent Christian character. In his death, which occurred May 23, 1886, Clay County lost one ofher best citizens, and to the family circle came their reparable loss of one who was a kind and loving husband and father. The bereaved widow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and finds comfort in the blessed hope of a meeting where parting shall be no more.