Iraneus L. Smith was born on January 14, 1835, at Berlin, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Pennsylvania and married Miss Harriet King on September 9, 1857. The union was blessed with five children. He enlisted in the summer of 1861, to serve in the war effort. He was in Company C of the 54th Pennsylvania Infantry and served the full term of three years. For a large part of the time he served as captain of his company. After mustering out, he went back to his Pennsylvania home. In 1869, he relocated his family to Story County. His first home was in Ames and then he made his way to Nevada. He served in the capacity of County Clerk for ten years. He also spent 22 years in the abstract business in Nevada with J. M. Bricker. His death occurred due to a freak accident. He was visiting his son and family in Kansas City. Mr. Smith and his young granddaughter, Naomi, were traveling by cable car when a collision occurred due to autumn leaves collecting on the track. He was killed instantly but the life of his granddaughter was spared. He died on October 19, 1903. |
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