Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 558 - 561 

HENRY SMITH, retired farmer and capitalist, occupies one of the finest dwellings in Wichita Township, which was completed on the 22d of November, 1886, at a cost of $3,200. Adjacent to this is a commodious and well-built barn, flanked by the other structures necessary to the suburban homestead, a view of which we present in connection with this brief outline of the owner's life. The career of Mr. Smith illustrates in a forcible manner the industry and perseverance with which he has labored, and the good judgment which has guided him in his various transactions. The main points in a history of unusual interest are as follows:

            Our subject, a native of Leicestershire, England, was born Aug. 24, 1838, and is the son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Chambers) Smith, who were of pure English ancestry and also natives of Leicestershire. The father was born Sept. 24, 1803, and is still living, a resident of Sedgwick County, this State. The wife and mother died in 1841 in her native land, leaving four children: Rebecca, who continues in England; Emma, who died in girlhood; John, and Henry, of our sketch.

            Joshua Smith contracted a second marriage, with Miss Mary Cook, of his own county in England, and who still lives. They became the parents of four children: William, Mary M., Frederick T. and Emma, who are now here, with the exception of William, who resides in Missouri. Henry emigrated to America with his father and stepmother in 1852, and they settled within twelve miles of the city of Utica, N. Y. There our subject continued with his father on the farm until 1854, then with him crossed the Mississippi, and settled near the embryo town of Lawrence, in this State. Henry and John with their father entered into a contract to furnish lime, brick and sand for building purposes, and our subject was thus occupied for three years. He then changed his residence to Wabaunsee, where he took up claims and engaged in farming until 1868, and in the fall of that year came to Wichita Township and, in company with his brother, located a portable sawmill on the east bank of the Little Arkansas River, which they operated ten months following with excellent results.

            Our subject now pre-empted the quarter-section of land which he now owns, securing his deed in the spring of 1870. He has a quarter-section a half-mile east of Oatville, and twenty-five acres adjacent to his residence, in addition to the ground adjoining the city cemetery, which he sells, as required, from $15 to $50 per lot. Mr. Smith distinctly recollects the time of the John Brown and Jim Lane troubles, and for a whole year was almost constantly in the saddle, in readiness to defend the settlers should it become necessary.

            Mr. Smith, while a resident of Wichita, was married, in September, 1871, to Miss Hattie A. Royal, who was born in Indiana, and died at her home in Wichita on the 24th of July, 1874, leaving one child, Arthur R., who is now at home. The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married July 24, 1875, was formerly Mrs. Sarah E. (Lewis) Skinner, who was born in the State of New York, Oct. 11, 1849. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Charles C. and Eliza M. (Kent) Lewis, natives of Chemung County, N. Y. They were the parents of eleven children: Eveline A. is the wife of E. Holcomb, of Ohio; Ella J. married William Pierson; Sarah, Mrs. Smith, was the third child ; Celia M., Mrs. Thomas Hewson, died Jan. 8, 1884; Jessie D., Frederick S. and Clara M.; the latter is in Butler County, Kan.; Oliver and Carrie died when about one and a half years of age. The others died in infancy.

            George Skinner, the first husband of Mrs. Smith, was a native of Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. Of this marriage there were born two children -- Ella and Victor George. Mr. Skinner belonged to the I. O. O. F., and died at his home in Iowa.

            To our subject and his present wife there have been born five children, namely: Hattie M., Grace L., Harry E., Florence and Ina F. Mr. Smith is independent in politics, and has served as Township Treasurer, Road Supervisor and School Trustee.

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