My Genealogy Hound

Ezra D. Smith, black-smith and wagon-maker at Neosho, Mo., was born in Marion County, Ill., June 1, 1858, and is a son of John C. and Sophronia (Joplin) Smith, natives of the “Blue Grass State.” They moved from Illinois to Newton County, Mo., in 1870, and there Ezra D., the youngest of their seven children, was reared on a farm until twelve years of age, at which time he began learning the black-smith’s trade and plowmaking. He followed this business for a number of years, and in July, 1886, opened his present place of business, where he has a large and lucrative trade. He does general black-smithing, and makes a specialty of carriage-making. Mr. Smith is a young man who commands in a high degree the confidence and respect of the community in which he resides, and with those with whom he has business relations. His marriage with Maria Benson took place September18, 1879. She was born in Iowa, and is the mother of three children, Arthur, Otis and Ethel.