Born February 12, 1854, in Iowa City, a son of Andrew and Mary (Donohue) Smith, who were natives of Ireland and came to the United States in 1850. In 1852, they removed to Iowa, taking up their abode in Iowa City where they remained for fourteen years. Liberal educational advantages were accorded James J Smith, who supplemented his early training by study at the Iowa State University, where he pursued his professional course graduating from the law school in June, 1879. He began practice in Ottumwa in the month of August, of that year, and has since been a representative of the bar. While his attention has been confined almost exclusively to his practice, he is now one of the stockholders and directors of the First National Bank. On the 29th of September, 1885, in Ottumwa, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Mary T. Shields. Mrs. Smith passed away February 26, 1897. On the 30th of August 1900, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Dollie Healy. The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic Church, their membership being in St. Mary's. Mr. Smith belongs to Ottumwa Lodge, No. 347 B. P. O. E., of which he is one of the trustees, and he is a charter member of General Shields Council, K. C., of which he was the first grand knight. His political allegiance has always been given the Democratic Party, and his opinions carry weight in its councils. He was chosen to represent the district in the twenty-third general assembly and was afterward elected as senator of the twenty-fourth assembly. In community affairs he is deeply and helpfully interested. For several years he was one of the trustees of the Ottumwa library, and he has been a member of the board of trustees of the Ottumwa Hospital Association from its organization.
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