Marshall County KS Archives Biographies.....Smith, John V. 1838 - before 1917 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 18, 2007, 8:04 pm Author: Emma E. Forter (1917) JOHN V. SMITH. John V. Smith, deceased, was for many years one of the well-known and successful farmers and stockmen of Richland township, Marshall county. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, on March 14, 1838, and was the son of Thomas Smith and wife. He received his education in the schools of his native land, where he lived until 1867. At that time he and his brother, Michael, decided to come to America, and they set sail for the new land, where they hoped to make a home. On their arrival in this country, they proceeded to St. Louis, where they worked as laborers for six years. In 1873 they came to Marshall county, where they purchased one hundred and sixty acres, which they later divided. When they came to the county, the brothers had twenty-five hundred dollars, which they had saved from their work in St. Louis. They paid nine hundred dollars for the quarter section of land, which today is worth some eighteen thousand dollars. On that farm John V. Smith devoted many years of his life to general farming and stock raising and met with much success. He added to his land holdings and at the time of his death was the owner of eight hundred acres of excellent land. He moved to the present home place in 1896. This he developed and improved with the best of buildings. The house is a most attractive one, painted white, its location among the stately evergreen trees, presents a most pleasing effect. The barns and outbuildings are substantial and are in keeping with the most excellent upkeep of the farm. On July 10, 1876, John V. Smith was united in marriage to Catherine Lynch, who was born in Ireland on January 16, 1854, and was the daughter of Edward and Mary Lynch. The father died when Catherine was eight years of age, and thus bereft of a father, her early educational advantages were neglected. She grew to womanhood in her native land, and in 1873 she and her brother, Peter, came to America, and here joined their uncle, Peter Lynch, in St. Bridget township, Marshall county. Mr. Lynch had been agent for new settlers in the county since 1857 and was a man of much influence and force of character. Here Catherine Lynch and her brother established their home and here she lived until the time of her marriage, three years later. To John V. and Catherine Smith were born the following children: Thomas, Edward, John L., Robert, George, William, Mary, Agnes and Katie. Thomas, Edward and John L. are all successful farmers in the township. Three of these children, Thomas, Mary and Agnes, each taught school for about four years in Marshall county. The family belong to the Catholic church at Summerfield. The mother and daughters are members of the altar society. Robert and William are engaged in farm work at home; George is a senior in the high school at Summerfield; Agnes Gallagher lives at Summerfield where she is the postmaster; Mary is at home and Katie is assistant postmaster at Summerfield and married Vincent Mulharn, of Richland township. John L. Smith is the father of two children, Regina and Helen, and Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher have two children, Edward and Howard. Additional Comments: Extracted from: History of Marshall County, Kansas: its people, industries, and institutions by Emma E. Forter Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co. (1917) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/ks/marshall/bios/smith455gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ksfiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb