smithjincomplete
Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
JAMES H. SMITH dwells about five
miles southwest from Coulee City, on one of the best locations in the entire
Grand Coulee. His estate is situated at the head of Blue Lake, with
sufficient water to irrigate a good portion of it and with a grand panoramic
view of the towering walls of the coulee and other scenery which is very
inspiring. Mr. Smith is known as one of the large stock raisers in
Douglas county and has accumulated a nice fortune in this industry.
James H. Smith was born in Adair county, Missouri.
The father's ancestors dwelt in Virginia. The family came to this
country in 1882, locating in the California settlement. Our subject
was a pupil in the first school organized in the county, which was taught
by C. Ladd and under his training, he received most of his education.
At the age of twenty he engaged in the stock business and has continued
in the same since. He has a large band of choice Hereford cattle
and a bunch of horses. Mr. Smith's estate is provided with a good
two-story residence, plenty of barns, outbuildings and so forth and is
devoted largely to the production of hay. He has a fine alfalfa field,
irrigated, and raises in addition to that some grain and hay. He
also has a very fine orchard of select fruit. Mr. Smith has two brothers,
William J. and Arthur L., and two sisters, Mrs. Lou Mitchell and Mrs. Bertha
Sims.
Near Hartline, on January 1, 1890, Mr. Smith
married Miss Melissa, daughter of Alexander and Polly (Helton) Osborne,
natives of Illinois and Kentucky, respectively. Mrs. Smith was born
in Missouri, on August 27, 1871, and has two brothers, Willis and Medley,
and one sister, Mrs. Maggie Wallock. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith five children
have been born; Mabel, on January 13, 1891; Elbert L., on June 11, 1892;
Altha L., on November 3, 1894; Elsie M., on December 10, 1896; and Charles
F., on October 17, 1898.
Mr. Smith was raised under the influence of
the Salvation Army but at present is not a member of any denomination.
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