A. H. Smith is a self-made man, whose life of activity and well directed labor finds visible evidence in his well improved farm of three hundred and ninety acres in Hazel Dell Township. He also owns a beautiful residence at the corner of Locust & Oak Streets in Council Bluffs.

From the age of eighteen years he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources and such a record should serve to encourage others, showing what can be accomplished through intelligently directed labor.

Mr. Smith a native of Buffalo, Michigan, born July 10, 1853. His father, Anthony Smith, whose birth occurred in Ohio, was a veterinary surgeon and traveled all over the country. He made the overland trip to Colorado and about 1861 settled in Council Bluffs. Twenty-five years ago he made a trip to the west and after a few letters home was never heard from again. His wife, Margaret Smith, was born in New Jersey and died in Council Bluffs at the age of seventy-six years. Their marriage, which was celebrated in LaPorte County, Indiana, was blessed with three children, but one is now deceased, the brother of our subject being Alva Smith, a real estate dealer of Council Bluffs.

A. H. Smith was but eight years of age at the time of the removal of the family to this county and his boyhood days were spent in Council Bluffs, his public-school education being supplemented by a course in Bryant & Stratton Business College of that city.

At the age of eighteen years he started out in life on his own account. He had no capital but he possessed the more substantial qualities of industry, energy and determination. He resolved that he would win success if he could do so by consecutive and honorable labor.

His first purchase of land consisted of eighty acres, to which he has added from time to time as his financial resources have increased until he is now the owner of a valuable property of three hundred and ninety acres in Hazel Dell Township. Here he is successfully carrying on general farming, his place presenting a neat and attractive appearance, showing the owner to be a man of progressive spirit and a thorough agriculturist. He has also bought residence property in Council Bluffs, having a beautiful home there at the corner of Locust and Oak Streets. He has had no assistance save that rendered him by his estimable wife, who has carefully managed the household affairs and thus been of much aid to her husband in his work.

Mrs. Smith bore the maiden name of Emma C. Peterson. She was born in Pottawattamie County and married in Council Bluffs. Her father, Peter Peterson, a farmer of Garner Township, is now deceased. She has two sisters living: Mrs. Josephine Woodworth, of Council Bluffs; and Mrs. Christina Smith, who is living in Norwalk Township.

Unto our subject and his wife were born four children, of whom George W., the eldest, died at the age eighteen years, while one died in infancy. Clara E. and Howard L. are yet at home. The parents are members of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints and Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics, having been unfaltering support to the party since reaching the age of twenty-one. He has served as township trustee for three years and done effective service in behalf of the cause of education as a member of the school board. His fellow citizens accord him their respect because of what he has accomplished and their trust of the honorable methods that he has ever followed.