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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.
GEORGE E. SMITH, who resides
about seven miles north from Wilbur, is one of the men whose life's account
will contain record of events, which would warrant the saying of our president,
"He is a man who has done things."
George E. Smith was born in Missouri, on January
7, 1850, the son of George F. and Mary (Pfnister) Smith, natives of Saxony,
Germany. The father came from the Fatherland in 1829 and made settlement
in Missouri. When our subject came to the age of nine, he suffered
the bereavement of the death of his father. Schools were scarce in
those pioneer times and George had little opportunity to attend, had there
been schools, as he was early obliged to learn the truth of that statement,
that man shall eat his bread by the sweat of his face. The mother
was a talented and learned woman, however, and she gave instruction to
her son as opportunity afforded and he soon became very proficient in various
branches. The habits of study then formed have always stayed with
our subject and he has constantly given himself to selected reading and
deep thinking. The result is that he is one of the best informed
men of this section and is a close student of nature. In 1871, Mr.
Smith went to Salem, Illinois, to dwell with an uncle and there he formed
the acquaintance of William J. Bryan, who is now a national figure.
They attended Sunday school together and became well acquainted.
Later, Mr. Smith returned to Missouri and there, in 1876, he married Miss
Jennie L. Haverstick. The state of Missouri was their home for one
year when they moved to the vicinity of Mitchell, Illinois, and remained
until 1890, then they journeyed to Washington, and selected land in Lincoln
county, where they dwell at the present time. Mr. Smith purchased
his quarter section from the railroad company and has devoted himself to
its improvement and cultivation since. He has a comfortable and good
home, has accumulated considerable property and is considered one of the
substantial men of the county. Mr. Smith is always an ardent and
forceful worker for both good schools and other improvements which are
for the good of the community, and he is a progressive and thinking man.
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