The agricultural population of Wallowa County is well known for its energy and enterprise and among this worthy number may be mentioned the esteemed gentleman whose name appears above, and to whom it is our pleasant privilege to grant space in this volume for an epitome of his life’s career, since his efforts in the development of the county and in conducting his business enterprises have stamped him a man of ability and his demeanor in the realm of ethics is such that his exceptionally excellent moral qualities are manifest to all in a manner quite commendatory to himself.
In Morgan County, Kentucky, on July 4, 1853, the subject of this sketch was introduced to this world, being the son of William B. and Nancy M. (Mumsey) Smallwood, natives, respectively of Maryland and Virginia, and living at the time of the event recorded above, four miles north from Hazel Green. The father was a contractor and builder in Kentucky for eighteen years. Later he removed to Johnson County, Kansas, where he died in 1881. In that place also the mother crossed the river of death in 1871. Our subject was educated in his native place and in Kansas and soon after the death of his mother stepped from the parental home and commenced the battle of life for himself. He first farmed in Kansas for a time and then, in 1880, set out on the journey that brought Wallowa another substantial citizen of worth. He selected his present farm, four miles northeast from Joseph and placed a homestead right upon it. He set to the work of transforming the wild sod to a fertile and well kept farm and admirably he has succeeded, for his estate, which is now two hundred and forty acres, is one of the excellent farms of the county and skillfully tilled, and well improved with necessary buildings and machinery. In addition to the work of farming, he is occupied with raising stock and has good success in this line.
On December 1, 1878, in Westport, Missouri, the marriage of Mr. Smallwood and Miss Isabel, daughter of William and Susa A. Bartholfe, was celebrated, and to them have been born the following children: Letha: Claude, died at the age of four years, on June 1, 1886: Monta: C. Ernest, and Nora. Mrs. Smallwood was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 23, 1860. Her parents were natives of Iowa, but pioneers to Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Smallwood are members of the Christian church and have wrought faithfully during their stay in the county for the advancement of their faith as well as for the development of the county and have sustained an untarnished reputation, while the esteem and confidence of all is theirs to enjoy in generous measure.