Isaac F. Smith, of Weiser, who is serving as clerk of the district court and ex-officio auditor and recorder of Washington County, was born in Butte County, California, on the 28th of July, 1854. His father was born in Ohio. July 27, 1823, and married Miss Josephine C. Whitaker. In 1849 they crossed the plains with ox teams to California, bringing with them their firstborn. Walter W. Smith, who is now a resident of Washington County, Idaho. The father engaged in mining on Feather River for a time, and in 1854 removed to Nevada and thence to Utah, remaining in the latter territory for nine years. In 1880 he took up his abode in Weiser, Idaho, where he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in the home of our subject in 1896, when he had reached the age of seventy-three. He was an honorable and worthy citizen, respected by all who knew him. His wife had died in Silver City, Nevada, at the age of forty-one years.
Isaac F. Smith, the younger of their two children, was educated in the public schools of Virginia City, Nevada, and in Oakland. California, and has been prominently identified with the development of the mineral, mercantile and agricultural resources of this section of the country. He engaged in mining in Utah for six years, was a clerk in a general mercantile establishment at Rush Lake, and in 1880 came to Weiser, since which time he has been one of the leading promoters of many of the best interests of Washington county. He first entered from the government one hundred and sixty acres of land four miles northwest of the town, built a residence and made other substantial improvements, and still owns the property. From 1885 until 18g0 he was employed as a salesman in the store of Mr. Haas, and in the latter year was called to public office, being nominated by the Republican party for the office of clerk of the district court and ex-officio auditor and recorder of Washing-ton county. He discharged his duties so accept-ably during his first term that he was re-nominated and again elected, and for the third time has been elected to that position, a fact which indicates in an unmistakable manner his fidelity to duty, his promptness and ability, as well as his personal popularity.
In 1877 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Hunt, a native of Ogden, Utah, and a daughter of Marshall Hunt, then residing in that city. They now have six children: Isaac F., Harriet H., Walter F., Isadore, Bert and Hazel. Mr. Smith’s name is enrolled among the members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masonic fraternity, and he also holds membership in the Episcopal Church. He is now a silver Republican, differing from the main branch of his party on the money question. He keeps well informed on all the issues of the day and is therefore able to give an intelligent and earnest support to the principles in which he so firmly believes. In Weiser he has a nice home, and he and his family enjoy the high esteem of all who know them.