My Genealogy Hound

CAREY J. SMITH, born in Shelby county, Ind., July 22, 1850, but for the most part raised in Iowa. Was married in Iowa in Aug., 1875, to Sarah M. Irons, who was born in Ind., in 1856. The names of the children are Bettie, a beautiful child, not living; and one not named at the writing of this sketch. Mr. Smith came to Jasper county in 1875 and engaged in the mercantile business in the town of Smithfield, and has been remarkably successful He bought a half interest in his uncle’s store for $250, paying $115 in cash and gave his note for the balance. Mr. William McQuiston bought out David Smith’s interest, after five years, for $1,600. Mr. Smith continued the business with Mr. McQuiston for a year and then sold out to Mr. McQuiston for $1,500. In 1881 Mr. Smith began business for himself with a capital of $1,500, and in a recent invoice, without additional capital stock, his business showed that there had been a growth in two years to $5,000. Besides the mercantile business he has done a large business in agricultural implements, having sold the past season, including his mercantile business, about $23,000. He keeps a novel set of books, giving total cash, total sales, total credits, and collections, enabling him at the end of the week, month, and year to strike a balance in his business. Mr. Smith is a young man and full of business energy, and a good manager and calculator. He is the present postmaster of Smithfield, sending out some 10,000 letters during the last year, besides being the proprietor of the city scales. The subject of this sketch, like most young men of this age, is full of enterprise and business thrift and will rank among the most energetic and prosperous men of the community.