Charles D. Smith, of Lake Mills, Iowa, has reached the advanced age of eighty-five years and is living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former well directed labor. He came to Winnebago county in early manhood and, being well pleased with the opportunities offered here, cast in his lot with that of this then new and undeveloped section and as the years have passed he has watched with pleasure the progress that has been made as the raw prairie and scattered settlers' homes have given place to highly improved farms and up-to-date, hustling towns and cities.

He was born in Washington county, Vermont, November 26, 1832, a son of Alvin and Amanda (Barnett) Smith, also natives of the Green Mountain state. The parents removed to Winnebago county five years after their son, Charles D., had taken up his residence here and the father engaged in farming in the county until his death. He was long survived by his wife, who passed away in 1908. Both are buried in Sunnyside cemetery at Lake Mills. To them were born seven children, of whom three survive, namely: Charles D.; William D., who is living near Lake Mills; and Norman, of Spokane, Washington.

Charles D. Smith received a common school education in Vermont and when sixteen years of age began working for others, so continuing for a number of years. In 1856 he came to Winnebago county and homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres of land in Center township, to which .he subsequently added by purchase, owning at one time five hundred acres. The greater part of his home farm has since been sold as lots but he still retains forty acres, upon which he raises the usual crops. He also owns other land, his total holdings at present being three hundred acres. While actively engaged in agricultural pursuits he ranked as one of the most businesslike and progressive farmers of the county and he brought his land to a high state of cultivation. He was also engaged in the milling business for a considerable period, having built a flour mill in Lake Mills in 1860 in partnership with S. D. Wadsworth. He is a director in the Farmers State Bank.

On the 26th of February, 1863, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Janet Smith, who was born in Canada in 1835 and who died on the 25th of March, 1915. She is buried in the Sunnyside cemetery. To their union were born six children, namely: Walter C., who is living near Marshalltown, Iowa; Anna J., now the wife of Horatius Hastings, of Boston, Massachusetts; Emeline, deceased; Charles W., who is married and lives at Lake Mills; Bessie J., the deceased wife of A. J. Durgan, of St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Hattie, who died when young.

Mr. Smith is a democrat in politics and has filled a number of positions of honor. He was township trustee for a number of years, was county supervisor for eight years, was a member of the town council for ten years and was the first mayor of Lake Mills, serving for a term of two years. His official record is one that will bear the closest scrutiny, for he at all times discharges his duties with an eye single to the public welfare and with the same careful attention to all details that he gave to the management of his farm. His friends are found in all parts of the country and he receives the honor to which his long and well spent life entitles him.

History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa,