SMITH, Adam, b. 1884: 1905 Bio, Rio Blanco County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/rioblanco/bios/smitha.txt --------------------------------------- Donated August 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Adam Smith From his childhood Adam Smith, of Rio Blanco county, living on a well-improved and highly cultivated ranch of one hundred and eighty acres in the vicinity of Meeker, has been engaged in or connected with farming and raising stock; and bringing to the enterprise in these lines which he is now conducting the wisdom acquired in his long experience elsewhere, and acquiring by close observation an accurate knowledge of the conditions and requirements of the business in his present location, and applying with intelligence the knowledge thus acquired, his success has been very good and his progress steady and continuous. He was born in Fulton county, Illinois, on November 25, 1834, and was educated at the district schools in the neighborhood of his home. Remaining at home until he reached the age of twenty-three, he worked on the farm in the interests of his parents. Then, desiring to make a living and a record for himself, he moved to Douglas county, Kansas, where he was occupied in farming and raising stock two years. In 1859 he came to Colorado and until 1884 lived in Douglas county, engaged in lumbering and ranching. He also served two terms as sheriff of that county and at various times took an active part in fights with the Indians. In 1884 he moved to Rio Blanco county and located on his present ranch, one hundred and sixty acres of which he took up as a pre-emption claim, the other twenty acres being since added by purchase. He has sufficient water to make the cultivation of one hundred and twenty-five acres profitable, and this tract he has in grain, hay, vegetables and fruit. He also raises cattle to a limited extent and with good results. In political faith he is a loyal Democrat, and in the success of his party he takes an active part and an earnest interest. His parents, Jacob R. and Jane (Hearsey) Smith, were natives of Ohio, like himself, and migrated to Kansas in 1855. The father was a successful farmer, a Democrat in politics and a public-spirited citizen with the best interests of his community ever foremost in his mind and action. Twelve children were born in the family, eight of whom are living, Adam, Edward, James, Joseph, William, Louisa, Mary J. and Elizabeth. The mother died in August, 1855, and the father in 1863. Mr. Smith was married on February 14, 1855, to Miss Rebecca Cameron, a native of Fulton county, Illinois. They have had nine children. Katharine, Joseph, Eliza and Thomas have died, and James, Mary E., Dora A., Frank and Eva are still living. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.