8                   HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

first successful hip joint amputation within his state, in 1888. In 1896
he established a hospital which was known as Franklin St. Hospital. In
1908 he changed its name in honor of his son. Dr. Lester Franklin Smith,
who died April 30, 1907. This hospital is devoted to medical and surgical
cases.
    Dr. Smith is a member of the Esculapian Society of the Wabash
Valley Indiana State Medical Society Clay County Medical Society (of
which he is an ex-president ) member of Brazil Lodge, No. 264, A. F.
& A. M. Chapter No. 59, Royal Arch Masons. In his political affilia-
tions, he votes the Republican ticket nationally, but supports the man, who
in his judgmeiit, is best suited for the position in local affairs.
    May 15, 1881, Dr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary
Barnett, who was born in Putnam county, Indiana, daughter of Lewis and
Cynthia (Deal) Barnett, both natives of Indiana and to whom were born
three children William T. Vinton Mary, wife of Dr. Smith. Her
father was a farmer and a member of the Baptist church he supported the
Democratic party. Dr. Smith and wife are the parents of five children,
two of whom died in infancy Shelley Lillian: Lester Franklin, who
graduated from the Illinois Medical College with the class of 1906, and
died at the age of twenty—three years, when just entering into what bade
fair to be a highly successful career the other living child of Dr. and
Mrs. Smith is Athane. The two who died in infancy were named—Vivian
and Eileen.

    William M. ZELLER is classed with the prominent, energetic and
successful business men, whose labors have been an essential element in
the upbuilding of Brazil. His life has been one of continuous activity,
in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and who is to—day
numbered among the substantial residents of the city. He is a member of
the firm of Zeller, McClellan & Company, miners and shippers of coal,
is also president of the Brazil Clay Company, presitlent of the American
Coal & Mining Company and president of the Citizens’ National Bank.
His interests are thus varied and extensive, and by perseverance, deter-
initiation and honorable effort he has achieved his present position of
prominence in business circles.
    Mr. Zeller is one of Clay county’s native sons, his birth having
occurred in Jackson township October 31, 1861. He was one of four
children born unto John H. and Susan A. (Bocher) Zeller. His paternal
grandfather was a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, while the great-
grandfather came to this country from Switzerland in 1740 taking up his
abode in Bucks county, where he became prominent in public life and
business circles.
    John H. Yeller was born in Butler county, Ohio, December 8, 1833,
and spent his boyhood days there under the parental roof. He left the
farm, however, when a young man, thinking to find other pursuits more
congenial, and secured a clerkship in a clothing store at Hamilton, Ohio.
When his labors and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable
him to embark in business on his own account, he opened a drug store in
Hamilton and also made trips through the county, selling drugs. The
year 1856 witnessed his arrival in Indiana and the establishment of his
home in the wilderness of Jackson township, Clay county. There he
engaged in the operation of a sawmill, becoming one of the pioneer set-
tlers of the district. Subsequently he removed to Harmony, where he