Representative George H. Smith View All Years
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George H. Smith
Harrison County
Harrison County will be represented in the house this session by a prominent young democrat, the Hon. George H. Smith, of Persia. He was born October 24, 1866, in Cass county, Mich. In the fall of 1869 his parents came to Iowa and settled in Harrison county, which place has always been their home. Mr. Smith represents in nativity four of the greatest nations on earth, French, Irish, German and Scotch blood commingling in his veins. In his intellectual make-up are combined the sturdy characteristics of these four nations. When he was only 9 years old he began work on the farm. He attended the common schools in the winter months. In February, 1889, after an absence from school of over three years, Mr. Smith determined to secure a better education, and to secure it independent of any assistance financially from his parents. He accordingly worked his way through the Woodbine Normal school, with great credit to himself. He attended the teachers' institute at Missouri Valley, obtained a certificate and taught school till the fall of 1891, when he re-entered the Woodbine Normal school, and graduated from it with highest honors as president of his class in 1892. After his graduation he taught in the country schools till he was elected to the principalship of the Persia schools, which position he occupied for three years, with commendations from all. Last spring he was compelled to resign his position, as the close confinement was detrimental to his health. He returned to the farm, forming a partnership with his father. He was for a year or more editor and proprietor of the Persia Globe. He has held the offices of township clerk and town recorder, and is now representative to the I. O. O. F. grand lodge. Though he is a member of no church, he is partial to the Christian. Mr. Smith is unmarried, and will enter the social side of legislative life as one of the popular bachelors. He is a nephew of the "old Roman," L. R. Bolter, of Missouri Valley, who is returned to the senate this winter. The nephew possesses much of the ability and many of the qualities of his uncle, and will be a conspicuous figure in democratic legislation. He is especially interested in matters pertaining to legislation on the Temple amendment, initiative and referendum, repeal of anti-fusion law, more perfect assessment laws, more just landlord and tenant laws, anti-school book trust laws, board of control for state institutions, and anti-monopoly legislation in general. He has been much in demand as a contributor to the county newspapers, as a writer on political matters, because of his sound logic and his spirit of independence. From the natural ambition and energy of their chosen tribune, the democrats of Harrison county will have no fault to find with their choice.
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