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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