A true pioneer of the West inasmuch as he was the first white boy born within the limits of Antelope County, Nebraska and now an energetic and prosperous business man of Atlantic City, Wyoming, Mr. James T. H. Smith was born on November 22, 1871 in the locality above stated a son of James H. and Kizzie (Dobson) Smith, natives of Iowa. The father was an active farmer and stockman for many years and at present is devoting his attention to a profitable merchandising undertaking at Clearwater, Nebraska. He was the son of henry Smith who was a native of England, while his mother was of Scotch birth. Henry Smith came to America in the early part of the nineteenth century and was a veteran and a pensioner of the War of 1812. James H. Smith inherited his father’s military predilections and gave a long and faithful service to the Union cause in the Civil War, suffering as a prisoner the horrors both of Libby and of Andersonville Prisons. James H. and Kizzie Smith were parents of ten children, nine being now living. Their names in order of birth are, Carrie, married and living in Nebraska; Hattie, wife of Leonard Willoughby, of Gregory County, South Dakota; James T. H.; William L., residing in South Dakota; Lillie wife of Samuel Smith of Colorado; Pearl, also married and living in Clearwater, Nebraska; Grace; Ernest; Arthur; Edith, died in infancy. After receiving the educational advantages of the then primitive schools of Nebraska, Mr. Smith applied himself to practical agricultural labors on Nebraska farms until 1890, in which year he came to Wyoming and for two years thereafter he was occupied in riding on the range and in other occupations, engaging in 1892 in the saloon business at Atlantic City and continuing in this enterprise until the present writing making business faculties keen intelligence and excellent judgement a representative citizen and also a man taking a great interest in public affairs of the local character. He is generous in his impulses often contributing freely to matters of improvement. He has an interest in the Empire mine, and extension of the Duncan and holds other valuable property interest.
