History of Clinton Co., (1901) page 19

J. Alexander Smith

Prominent among the successful agriculturists of Clinton county is J. Alexander Smith, who now makes his home in DeWitt. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, September 18, 1835; and is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of that state, being a grandson of John L. Smith, who was one of the first settlers of Belmont county and later made his home in Morgan county.

Our subject’s father, William Smith, was also a native of the Buckeye state, and spent his early life in Morgan county, where in the midst of the dense forest he cleared and improved a farm. He married Miss Sarah Beal, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Asa Beal, also an early settler of that state, living first in Harrison and later in Morgan counties. She died in 1848 and he subsequently married again, and had children by both unions. He continued to reside in his native state until 1863, when he removed to Clinton county, Iowa, and purchased a farm in DeWitt township, where he made his home for some years, but his last days were spent in the village of DeWitt. where he passed away July 14, 1899, at the ripe old age of eighty-six years, His second wife still survives him.

Mr. Smith, of this review, who is one of the children born of the first marriage, grew to manhood in the county of his nativity and acquired his education in its common schools. He remained with his father until twenty-two years of age, and was then married in Morgan county, November 13, 1856, to Miss Ursula Mummey, also a native of that county, and a daughter of Joshua Mummey, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. By this union were born two children: Lucetta C., wife of Charles Arthur, a retired farmer of DeWitt; and George M., a business man and farmer residing in DeWitt. The latter is married and has one child living: Harold. Emery W. was accidentally killed May 31, 1901, by falling from a loaded wagon and the wheel passing over him. He was aged seven years and four months.

After his marriage Mr. Smith rented land in Morgan county, Ohio, and was engaged in farming there until June, 1863, when he came to Clinton county, Iowa. Here he also rented land for several years, but was a length able to purchase forty acres in DeWitt township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he at once turned his attention. He added to the original tract from time to time until he had a quarter section in the home place, which was pleasantly located about four miles from DeWitt. He built a pleasant residence, good barns and other outbuildings, and made many other improvements which added greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the farm. After living there for several years he bought an adjoining farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and subsequently sold his first farm and removed to DeWitt, where he owns a good home. Since then he has purchased another farm of one hundred and sixty acres two miles east of the village, and another of eighty acres, so that he now has three fine farms aggregating three hundred an sixty acres. All of this property has been acquired through his own well directed and energetic efforts, for he came to the county in limited circumstances and has received no outside aid from any source.

Mr. Smith has taken an active part in all that tends to upbuild or advance the interests of his town or county, and never withholds his support from any enterprise for the public good. He has been a stock-holder, director and one of the officials of the Argicultural Society of Clinton county for several years; is now president of the Fair Association; and was one of the promoters of the Clinton, Jackson & Scott Mutual Insurance Company, of which he has been secretary for some years. Since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Freemont in 1856, he has supported every Republican candidate for that office, but al local elections casts his ballot for the best man regardless of party lines. He has been a delegate to both state and county conventions of his party, and has been a member of the township central committee. While living on the farm he served six consecutive years as assessor; also filled the office of township trustee; and has been a member of the school board many years, serving as secretary of the township board six years and treasurer for the same length of time. His public and private duties have always been most faithfully and conscientiously performed, and he is recognized as one of the most valued and useful citizens of his community. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is an earnest member, and gives to its support.