Leeson Smith was born in Ireland in 1815, and came to America when nineteen years of age. He has traveled quite extensively, and prior to settling in Clayton County, Ia., visited Canada, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska and New York, finally settling on section 15, Millville Township, where he owns 167 acres of finely improved land. He has held the offices of School Director, Trustee, Treasurer and others, but of late years has declined election. He was married in 1843 to Mary Smith, who died leaving five children-- Jane; Henry, now of Nebraska; William, who is farming the home farm; Ellen, now Mrs. John Bratt, and Charles, of Nebraska. His second marriage occurred in September, 1863, to Elizabeth Farley, who was born in Ohio, Mar. 26, 1836. Five children have blessed this union-- John, Sarah, Nettie, Mary E., Hannah and Leeson. Mr. Smith is a member of the United Brethren church, and formerly voted the Democratic ticket, but now affiliates with the Greenback party. He served in the Mexican war, a member of Captain Parker's company, of Dubuque. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1018 |