Isaac H. Smith

ISAAC H. SMITH.

The one whose name heads this brief sketch resides in the southwestern part of Boone County, adjoining Hendricks County on the south, and one mile west of his house is the line of Montgomery County. He has resided here many years, and owns a fine farm of 240 acres, well cultivated, and has a splendid brick house and other buildings; in fact, everything denotes thrift and energy. Mr. Smith was born in Hendricks County, Ind., December 27, 1833. His parents, Harden and Elizabeth Smith, were born in Kentucky, but came when young to Jackson Township, Boone County, where they were married, where they resided many years and he entered forty acres of land. About this time Isaac H. Smith, the subject of this sketch, together with his parents, had a struggle with life. Hardships came thick and fast, when Isaac proposed to go to Thorntown and learn the carpenter’s trade with Samuel Otterman, at ten dollars per month. This was in the year 1852. He remained in and around Thorntown for three years. At this time he became a partner with Joseph Otterman in the above business. This firm did a large amount of work in Montgomery and Boone counties, building barns, houses, etc. The work then, as a matter of course, had to be done by hand, as there were no planing mills then and the work was laborious. But Mr. Smith had the grit and manhood to surmount all obstacles and succeeded in helping his parents in the struggle of life. He was married to Anna L. Otterman, daughter of Lewis Otterman, April 13, 1856. His family consists of nine children, four boys and five girls. One of the sons died when young. Mr. Smith’s mother died in November, 1855.