The representative from Scranton, Greene county, succeeds himself as member of the house, having been re-elected last fall by an increased majority. He was born in Ogle county, Ill., in 1840, and moved to Clinton, Iowa, in 1856. He enlisted in the Eighth Iowa infantry in 1861, and served four years. He was wounded while in battle in Louisiana, and still carries with him the bullet with which he was struck. After the war he spent four years on a farm in Clinton county, and in 1868 removed to Greene county. During his residence there he has occupied a number of county and township offices. He bought the Scranton Journal in 1884 and has been its publisher ever since. He held the office of postmaster under former President Harrison. In the last session he was chairman of the committee on printing, and was a member of the special committee to investigate state printing and binding. His work on this committee was thorough and fearless throughout, his personal friends commending him for his determined stand, while from his enemies he became the target for abuse. He was an ardent supporter of the Cheshire amendment, taking a leading part in the debates over that measure. This winter he will make a decided stand for the principles of the Temple amendment. He is an uncompromising republican, yet possesses the courage to stand by his convictions though they oppose the party. Mr. Smith was married first to Miss Roxy L. Alger, in 1865, by whom six children were born to him. She died in 1892. His second marriage was in 1894 to Mrs. Alice M. Dreher. Last session he served on the committees on appropriations, building and loan, federal relations, military, Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, Soldiers' and Orphans' home, elections, and congressional districts.

Greene county has a new member of the House this winter in the Hon. P. A. Smith, of Scranton. He was born in Ogle county, Illinois, September 1, 1840. He lived there until February, 1856, then moved to Clinton county, Iowa. In 1868 he took up his residence in Greene county, where he has since remained. He was educated in the common schools. On July 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, 8th Iowa Infantry. He was a member of the "Hornet's Nest" brigade at Shiloh, was taken prisoner April 6, 1862, with his command, was wounded in the neck at Old river, Louisiana, May 16, 1864, and still carries a bullet in his neck. He was mustered out of the service September 28, 1864, at Davenport. He was married February 9, 1865, to Miss Roxy L. Alger, who died November 4, 1892. They had six children, of whom the following are living: Lownie W., aged 27; Claud D., aged 22; E. Gertrude, aged 19; Mary Pearle, aged 15;Orin Lee, aged 10. He was married a second time September 4, 1894, to Mrs. Alice M. Dreher, who had three children by her former husband. They are: Irving, aged 14; Clarence, aged 12, and Veva, aged 10. Mr. Smith has always been a strong Republican. His first vote was cast for Colonel Stone while in the army. He held the postmastership at Scranton under the administration of President Harrison. He was justice of the peace for nineteen years. Up to the year 1884 he devoted himself entirely to farming, but since then he has been editor and proprietor of the Scranton Journal. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the G. A. R. Under the administration of Philip Schaller Mr. Smith was an aid-de-camp on the staff of the department commander. He has been commander of the post at Scranton, and is now president of the soldiers' relief commission of Greene county. While he is a good Republican, Mr. Smith is independent and untrammeled and can work with anyone who has the welfare of the people at heart and is striving to promote the interests of Iowa.