Thanks to Marilynn Howard to the Iowa Biographies Project (there is a picture available on the site) John Smyth is a retired farmer now living in the village of Ogden and for thirty-four years he has not not [sic] only been a witness of the growth and development of this county but has contributed his full share to the general improvement and progress. He was born near St. Clairsville, Belmont county, Ohio , November 11, 1823 , and is a son of George and Mary (Lee) Smyth. The father was born in Drumgiven, Townland, near St. Field, in the County of Down , Ireland , about eight miles from Belfast , his natal day being May 1, 1792 . He came to America on board a sailing vessel and in this country was married to Mary Lee, who was born near Cross Creek, in Washington county, Pennsylvania , on Christmas day of 1803. They were the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, namely: John, born November 11, 1823; Mary, born April 21, 1825; Robert Lee, born December 28, 1826; William, born February 24, 1829; Dorothy, born March 17, 1831; Alexander, born April 3, 1833; George Vance, born December 11, 1834; Jane, born October 19, 1836; Ann, born October 21, 1838, Eliza E., born November 1, 1841; and Margaret Priscilla, born March 2, 1844; all of whom were born in Madison township, Muskingum county, Ohio, with the exception of the first two, who were born in St. Clairsville, Ohio. All received good educational privileges, thus fitting them for capably performing the practical work of life that came to them. In addition to an excellent school education John Smyth studied civil engineering. In early life he engaged in teaching school and entered upon his work as an agriculturist by renting land in Ohio for several years. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Elizabeth Dunn Fitz, their wedding being celebrated November 4, 1851, the lady being a daughter of Henry and Jane (Lindsay) Fitz, of eastern Pennsylvania . Ten years later, in 1861, Mr. and Mrs. Smyth removed to Linn county, Iowa , and there purchased a small farm which he improved, during seven years' residence upon the place. Mr. Smyth began teaching here following that profession during the winter months while in the summer season he devoted his energies to farm work. In 1868, however, he sold his property in Linncounty and came to Boone county, purchasing land in Amaqua township. He improved the same and taught school during the winter months while in the summer seasons he followed farming as he had in Linn county. His first purchase made him the owner of eighty acres and he afterward added another eighty acre tract and extended the boundaries of his place later until he had acquired two hundred and three acres, its present dimensions. In the spring of 1901, however, he sold his farm in Amaqua township and purchased a small farm of eighty acres in Yell township, which he took in part payment for his old homestead. This farm was well improved. He also owns ten acres of coal land on section 22, Yell township, and now rents his eighty acres on section 30, Yell township, making his own home in Ogden , where he is enjoying a well merited rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smyth have been born ten children, as follows: George Henry, born August 9, 1852 , married Lizzie Fields and resides in Churdan, Green county, Iowa . Robert C., born March 22, 1854 , married Mary Ella Bomberger and resides near Marietta , Minnesota . They have three children. Arthur, born July 18, 1856 , died in infancy. Orville Vance, born March 11, 1858 , married Emma C. Matz and with their three children they reside in Boone , Iowa . S.A. Douglas, born September 5, 1860, married Hattie Anderson and reside in Rockwell City , Iowa . They have two children. Wiley Ellsworth, born September 22, 1862 , died at the age of three years. Mary Jane, born January 21, 1865 , married Harvey Helphrey and resides in Pery, Iowa . They have two children. John Edwin, born September 2, 1867 , is living with our subject. Effie Ellen, born September 12, 1870 , married Henry Gearman a resident of Revillo , South Dakota , and they have four children. Libbie D., born June 1, 1875 , married Wallace M. Jones and resides on our subject's eighty acre farm in Yell township. They have two children. Our subject's first five children were born in Muskingum county, Ohio ; the next three in Linncounty, Iowa ; and the remaining two in Amaqua township, Boone county.