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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
PastAndPresentOfMahaskaCo.,IA by Manoah Hedge(Louis E. Smith) - LOUIS E. SMITH, b. 08 Nov 1874 Louis E. Smith is a jeweler of Oskaloosa, whose business has increased eightfold since he purchased the establishment of which he is now proprietor. Such a record is certainly an indication of splendid business capacity and enterprise, and Mr. Smith is regarded as a valued addition to commercial circles in his native city. He was born in Oskaloosa, November 8, 1874, a son of Theodore K. and Clara (Beckwith) Smith, who are mentioned on an other page of this work. He pursued his education in the public schools until he had completed the high-school course by graduation with the class of 1892. He then entered Penn College and subsequedtly was graduated from the Chicago Opthalmic College. He was then employed in his father's store as a jeweler. His first business venture, however, was at, selling newspapers, which occupied his attention between the age's of ten and eighteen years outside of school hours. In 1892 the father's health failed, followed by his death in 1893. During the period of his illness Louis E. Smith, associated with his sister, Mrs. Clara Hearne, carried on the jewelry business in Oskaloosa, and in 1900 Mr. Smith purchased the store, which he has since conducted and enlarged, his business having grown eightfold since he assumed the management. In 1902 he established a branch store at Albia, Iowa, which he conducted for some time and then sold out at a gratifying profit in January, 1906. The extent and volume of his business is somewhat indicated by the fact that he employs four watch-makers and three opticians and his stock has been largely increased in all lines, especially in the department of gold and silverware. He is watch inspector for the Iowa Central, Rock Island and Wabash Railroads. In 1904 he removed his business from 120 First avenue West, to his present location on the west side of the public square, where he has tripled his space to accommodate his extensive stock that is demanded by his constantly growing patronage. On the 14th of April, 1904, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Martha Waggoner, of St. Louis, Missouri, a daughter of Sol E. Waggoner, president of the Citizens Insurance Company of Missouri, and a prominent man, who was one of the managers of the World's Fair. Mr. Smith belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Hiram chapter, No. 6, R. A. M., and De Payens conimandry, No. 6, K. T., in which he has filled all of the chairs, and in the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Elks lodge and the Iowa State Association of Opticians, the American Association of Opticians and the Iowa Retail Jewelers Association, and is one of the three composing the membership committee of the last named association. He belongs to the Congregational church, and to the Young Men's Christian Association and is vice-president and a member of the board of directors of the Commercial Club, at Oskaloosa. These various membership relations indicate the character of the man, showing his recognition of his obligations to his fellowmen and his city as well as to his individual interests. He commands uniform esteem and well merits the high position which is accorded him through the consensus of public opinion.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy