The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 631

EDWARD SMITH.

The career of Edward Smith, a prosperous rancher of the Cowiche district of the
Yakima valley, is a most interesting one, for he has been engaged in carious
occupations in various sections of the country and, therefore his life's course
has brought him more experiences than fall to the lot of many. A native of
Illinois, he was born in Joliet, April 1, 1862, and is a son of Joseph and
Elizabeth (Sampson) Smith. The father was born in England and in his boyhood
came to the United States, locating in Joliet, Illinois, in 1846. For some time
he worked for others but later purchased land and became a successful
agriculturist of Illinois, in which state he passed away April 19, 1875. His
wife, Elizabeth (Sampson) Smith, was also born in England and was a daughter of
Samuel Sampson, who removed to Illinois in 1852, becoming a prominent farmer of
that state. The property which he owned is still in the family. In 1902 Mrs.
Smith came to Yakima county, Washington, where her death occurred in 1909. She
was a devoted member of the Methodist church, being deeply interested in its
work. Her husband was a strict adherent of the republican party, was active as a
school director of his district in Illinois and was respected by all who knew
him as a public-spirited and substantial citizen. In their family were eight
sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth. The
others of the family are: Samuel, a resident of Pasadena, California; George,
who follows agricultural pursuits; William, a resident of Iowa: Joseph, who made
his home in Yakima and died in November, 1918; Leonard, who is ranching in the
Cowiche district; Charles, who follows the same line of occupation in this
district; Alice, who resides in Yakima; John, who has remained a resident of
Joliet, Illinois; and Maggie, who died in infancy.

Edward Smith was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of his
education attended public school in his native state. He at first turned his
attention to farming, assisting his father in that pursuit, and subsequently
became a traveling salesman for the Western Union Supply Company. In 1884, at
the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Smith removed from Illinois to Minnesota, and
in 1886 he went to Beatrice, Nebraska, where he was for two years engaged in the
livery business. He was then again on the staff of the Western Union Supply
Company for a year. He removed to Tacoma, Washington, December 6, 1890, and
while in that city traveled for Redmond, Reese & Crandle for some time, making
trips out of Tacoma. Later he was for two months a traveling salesman in the
employ of Hautelling & Company of Portland, Oregon, but since that time has
given his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits.

In April, 1891, Mr. Smith arrived in Yakima county and for two years worked for
wages. He then rented land for six years, at the end of which time he had
acquired the means that permitted him to buy eighty acres on the Cowiche, to the
cultivation of which he devoted several years. He has since sold part of this
tract retaining twenty-eight acres. He raises hay and grain and also gives
considerable attention to cattle, having full blooded jerseys and Holsteins. He
has instituted a high class dairy and receives a very gratifying income from his
farming interests. Ever following progressive methods and trying out new ideas,
the years have brought him prosperity and there is great credit due him for what
he has achieved, as all that he has acquired is the result of his own labor.

On December 13, 1894, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Mamie Rockett, a
daughter of Robert Rockett, who is mentioned more extensively on other pages of
this work. To this union were born four children: Margaret, who has passed away;
Alice, who died at the age of six years; and Edward and Mildred, both at home.

Mr. Smith has always taken a laudable interest in public affairs although he is
not active in politics. He is serving as clerk of the school board, having held
that office for the past seventeen years and the cause of education has ever
been dear to his heart. Fraternally he is an active member of the Modern Woodmen
of America and serves as clerk of the local canton. At one time he was a
candidate for the office of county assessor but was defeated by one vote, the
close contest indicating his popularity. He is a faithful adherent of the
republican party, the principles of which he staunchly upholds. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Smith have many friends in their neighborhood, all of whom are agreed as
to their high qualities of heart and character.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.