Ira F. Smith
LeClaire Township ~ History of Scott County

Ira F. (Fuller) Smith, retired farmer, LeClaire, was born in Washington Co., PA., on the 5th of December, 1804, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Fuller) Smith. The family consisted of five sons and two daughters, three of whom are now living.

Mr. Smith was a farmer, which occupation he followed until his death in 1807. His mother again married, a Mr. Wolf, and three children were born. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, his father dying when he was three years old, and was thrown among strangers, picking up a limited school education, and worked out as soon as he could dress himself, for his clothes and board, until he was old enough to work for wages, and then worked for seven to eight dollars per month; also cut cord-wood for 12 1/2 cents a cord.

In January, 1820, married Miss Nancy Huffman. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1809. by this union there wasa family of 12 children, 10 of whom lived to be adults, via: Martin, Peter, Elizabeth, John E., Nathan, Cynthia, Clarinda, George, Henrietta and ira F. In June, 1834, left his home in Pennsylvania, and with his wife and three children, started for the far West.

Having two brothers in Iowa, and giving a glowing accoutn of the county, he concluded to come; coming by water via St. Louis, and landing in LeClaire, July 12, 1834, and located on Smith's Island, which was named after him, where he remained three years, then moved on the main shore where he has since resided.

Mr. Smith came to the county in very limited circumstances. He landed in St. Louis with but 50 cents in his pocket; he went to the captain of the steamer "Adventure", and told him his financial condition, and asked him to take him to Fuller (now Smith's Island) and land him. In return he gave him his note for $12, which he paid in steamboat wood.

His present prosperous circumstances are ample evidence of his industry and attention to business since his arrival here. Mrs. Smith died Arpil 13, 1876.

Smith family history