George W. Smith

The death of George W. Smith, which occurred on the 4th of March, 1910, came as a distinct loss to Linn county. It is a difficult task to offer a fitting memorial to the life and accomplishments of a man of his character -- remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom and in his indomitable perseverance, his strong individuality, and yet one whose entire life was an open scroll, inviting the closest scrutiny.

He was born in Boone county, Indiana, on the 19th of September, 1853, and a year later was brought by his parents, John and Martha (Pickerill) Smith, to Linn county, the family home being established on a farm of eighty acres in College township. The father, who was of English ancestry, was a native of Ohio but at an early day removed to Boone county, Indiana, where his life was spent until his removal to Linn county, Iowa, in 1854. His wife, who was born November 16, 1835, died in this county on the 5th of February, 1861, when but twenty-six years of age. The father afterward married Ruth Pickerill, a sister of his first wife, who still survives, now residing in Cedar Rapids. One of his sons, J. C. Smith, is a resident of College township, while a daughter, Mrs. Julia E. Booth, is also a resident of that township. The father, as above stated, began life in Linn county on eighty acres of land but through hard work and the able assistance of his sons he accumulated wealth, owning at the time of his death about seven hundred and sixty acres of very valuable land in this section of the state. He was a highly respected citizen, who lived to be seventy-four years of age, dying in 1902.

George W. Smith spent the period of his early boyhood and youth on the home farm in College township and at the usual age began his studies in the public schools. The knowledge there acquired was supplemented by a course in Western College, at that time located at Western, Iowa, and in a commercial college at Burlington. He graduated from the latter institution in the year he attained his majority, after which he engaged in teaching in College township for several years. At the age of twenty-seven years he was married and established his home on a farm, for he preferred as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared. He inherited one hundred and sixty acres from his father and added eighty acres through purchase, so that his land holdings comprised two hundred and forty acres, situated in section 21, College township. He carried on general farming and stock-raising and was unusually successful in his work. About 1905 he erected a fine modern home, supplied with many conveniences, and in the rear of which are seen substantial outbuildings. He displayed splendid business ability in the management of his affairs and in addition to his farming interests found time for cooperation in other movements of a public nature, at one time owning stock in the Peoples Bank. He was also a director of the West Side Mutual Insurance Company of Cedar Rapids, of which he was acting as president at the time of his demise, and was also part owner of a plantation in Louisiana. He was ever alert to the opportunities that were presented and while he became prosperous he attained to this position only through the most honorable methods.

It was on the 15th of May, 1880, that the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Amelia E. Borghart was celebrated. She was born April 15, 1862, a daughter of Henry and Jane (Fuhrmeister) Borghart, farming people of College township. Mrs. Smith acquired her education in the public schools and proved to her husband a most faithful companion and helpmate on the journey of life. Their union was blessed with three sons and one daughter but the first born, George F., whose birth occurred October 9, 1881, died on the 15th of March, 1882. The other children are: Charles R., who was born February 21, 1883, and since his father's death has, with his brother, managed the home farm; Earl John, who was born June 27, 1886; and Martha Hortense, who was born March 14, 1895. She completed the public school course in the fall of 1910 entered Coe College at Cedar Rapids.

In the spring of 1878 Mr. Smith was converted to the Christian faith and united with the Evangelical church, of which he was a most devoted member to the date of his death. For many years he served as a trustee of the church and also for a long period filled the office of Sunday-school superintendent. In politics he was a democrat and his fidelity and public spirit is perhaps best attested by the fact that for twenty-five years he served his township as clerk, while for three years he was township trustee. His fraternal relations were with Ely Lodge, No. 581, I. O. O. F., and his widow belongs to the Rebekahs. He was a most unselfish man, his sole aim in life being to do good and to serve the public to the best of his ability. His advice and counsel were often sought by his fellowmen and to those whose good fortune and pleasure it was to know him intimately, his companionship and friendship were appreciated and helpful. With him there was no turning aside from right and duty but his everyday life reflected the true Christian character. In his relations with his fellowmen and in his treatment of his neighbor he never lost sight of the principle of the golden rule. All who knew him feel his loss but he is missed most of all in his own household, where he was known as a kind and loving husband and father.

Source: Linn County, Iowa History, Volume II. Brewer, Luther Albertus. "History of Linn County, Iowa: from its earliest settlement to the present time." Cedar Rapids, IA, USA: Torch Press, 1911.

Submitted by: T. Stover - August 10, 2007