Howard Clarence Smith, Jewell Mayor 1903-1904
(This biography is from Lee's 1912  History of Hamilton County Iowa, volume 2)

          Howard Clarence Smith, president and one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Jewell, has for twenty-eight years been a resident of Hamilton County, and is numbered among its most enterprising and progressive citizens.   He was born in Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio, on the 28th of December, 1858, and is the youngest member in a family of six.   His parents, Nathan and Mary (McLain) Smith, were born in Zanesville, Ohio, but were married in Hardin County, that state, where the mother, who is now ninety years of age, still resides (in 1912).   The father, however, is deceased, having passed away in October, 1911, in his niety-fouth year.   His energies were always devoted to agricultural pursuits.

     The boyhood and youth of Howard Clarence Smith were passed on the old homestead in Ohio, and were very similar to those of other lads who are reared in the country.   At the usual age he began his education in the common schools of his native county, and completed it in the Ohio Wesleyan University, located at Delaware, that state, being graduated from this institution with the class of 1884.   The same year he came to Hamilton County and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of unimproved land in Lyon Township, and engaged in farming.   A man of practical and intelligent ideas and earnest purpose, he applied himself diligently to the development of his farm, converting it into one of the most attractive and valuable properties in the community.   In the spring of 1901 he became associated with others in the organization of the First National Bank of Jewell, of which he was made president, and the year following he rented his farm and removed to town, where he purchased a very pleasant and comfortable residence.   Mr. Smith has proven as efficient and capable in the discharge of his present duties as in the development of his agricultural interests, and without doubt it is largely due to his efforts that the bank has progressed so successfully.    It is now numbered among the well established and stable financial institutions of the county and is doing an excellent business.   Mr. Smith is also a stockholder in the Farmers' State Bank of Kamrar, and together with Alpheus Alexander owns the building in which the First National Bank is located in Jewell.

     On the 8th of September, 1909, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ida Watsabaugh, a daughter of Peter Watsabaugh, of Leon, Decatur County, Iowa, and the third in order of birth in a family of nine.

     Mr. and Mrs. Smith affiliate with the Congregational Church, and fraternally he is identified with Republic Lodge, No. 468, A. F. & A. M.   His political allegiance he gives to the Republican party.   He has served as mayor of the town of Jewell, and takes an active and helpful interest in the development of the town and the advancement of its various public utilities.


The biography printed above is from the following two pages of the 1912 Jesse W. Lee publication History of Hamilton County Iowa, Volume 2.


This small copy of the 1918 Plat Map of Lyon Township shows the Howard Smith Farm before he moved into Jewell.
(You may click to enlarge this map showing plat owners.)

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