Peter Smith
A splendid farm of four hundred acres represents the life work
of Peter Smith, who proudly can look back upon his achievements,
which were attained by his own efforts and no outside help. A
native of the state of new York, he was born March 12, 1853, and
is a son of Peter Schmitt, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who was
born in that state, May 22, 1822. The father employed the German
spelling “Schmitt,” but when Peter and his brother grew
to maturity they decided to Americanize the name, changing it to
its present form. When a young man the father emigrated to the
United States and engaged in farming and also did work in a
smelter in New York. Later he removed to Ohio and in 1862 came to
Allamakee county, where he bought eighty acres of unimproved land
in French Creek township near where his son now lives. Diligent
and industrious, he settled down to hard work, breaking the land
and placing his acres under cultivation, and as he obtained
results he increased his holdings until he at one time owned four
hundred acres. He died on the old home farm on March 8, 1879. His
marriage to Catherine Schiffhauer occurred in New York state on
April 25, 1852. The mother, who was a native of Saxony, Germany,
was born October 1, 1829, and has also passed away, her death
occurring on the home farm on June 20, 1890. They were the
parents of six children: Peter, our subject; Charles J.,
deceased; Mary M., who resides in Waukon; Catherine, the wife of
John Enders, of Berrien county, Wisconsin; Sophia, deceased, who
was the wife of Patrick Donohue; and John, of Rick Lake,
Wisconsin. The parents were devout communicants of the Catholic
church.
Peter Smith came with his parents from New York, via Ohio, to
Allamakee county, and received his education largely in the
district schools near his father’s farm. In the spring of
1876 he set out upon his independent career, engaging as a farm
hand for neighbors, He married in 1876 and subsequently rented
land for a number of years. In 1885 he acquired by purchase one
hundred and sixty acres, yet in a wild state, and there he has
since resided, increasing his holdings as occasion offered and
his means permitted, until he now owns four hundred acres, which
are all put to profitable use. Much of his land is under high
cultivation and good improvements can be found upon his farm. His
buildings are suitably equipped and substantial and his residence
is commodious and comfortable. He engages in general farming,
dividing his time between grain culture and stock-raising.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Melinda Hoffman, a
native of Cascade township, Dubuque county, Iowa, where she was
born on September 7, 1854, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Haas)
Hoffman, later residents of French Creek township. Mr. Smith lost
his wife on August 27, 1912, when her death ensued on account of
a fatal automobile accident. He and his wife had the following
children: Melinda, who married C. Pl. Nierling, a well known
agriculturist of this county; Mary J., the wife of F. A. Roth, of
Brooklyn, Iowa; C. M., of Zearing, this state; Joseph, of State
Center, Iowa; Katie J. who married C. W. Lane, of French Creek
township; John H. of State Center; Ann, at home; Benjamin J., of
State Center; William, also of that place; and Frank, at home.
Mr. Smith and his family are members of the Catholic church and
he gives his political adherence to the democratic party. While
he has attained a substantial position among the farmers of his
district and has individually become prosperous, he has been a
serviceable factor in promoting the growth of his locality and
his citizenship has in every way been productive of good results.
He enjoys the high esteem and regard of all who know him and has
made many friends in the county.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index