1914 Delaware Co., IA History pgs. 80+83

Avery N. Smith was one of the highly esteemed citizens of Delaware county and a progressive and successful agriculturist. He was born in New York state, April 25, 1832, a son of Abner and Lucina (Yates) Smith, both natives of Vermont. They subsequently removed to the Empire state and there the death of the mother occurred. Abner Smith came to Iowa in 1865, driving through with covered wagons from Smithport, Pennsylvania, to Clayton county, the trip requiring six or seven weeks. He settled near Edgewood and resided there until his death.

Avery N. Smith came to Iowa in 1856 and entered land in Delaware county. After residing upon his property for a short time he went to Freeborn county, Minnesota, and took up a homestead there, upon which he lived for two years. He then sold his land in that state and returned east, settling in Smithport, Pennsylvania, where he conducted a livery business. In 1865 he returned to Iowa, bringing his father with him. He did not long remain here at that time but made his way to Wisconsin, where he found employment in the lumber camps of the north woods. After one year so spent he returned to Iowa, but in 1870 he again left this state, going this time to Jonesville, Michigan, where he engaged in the livery business for four or five years. He subsequently sold out and returned to Delaware county in 1874 and bought a farm north of Manchester. He then turned his attention to farming and cultivated the fields until his death.

The marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Lucretia J. Cross occurred in 1872 in Jonesville, Michigan. Mrs. Smith is a native of New York state and a daughter of Ebenezer and Sophia (Cummings) Cross, both of whom were born in the Empire state but removed to Michigan many years ago where both passed away. She was the only child born to them and by her marriage became the mother of three children: Edwin A., who resides upon a farm in Delaware township, married Winnifred Goen and has one child, Edith E.; Eveline L. is a graduate of the local high school; and Fred A. operates the homestead.

Mr. Smith was a member of the Universalist church, as are the members of his family. He was a democrat and prominent in the local councils of his party. At one time he ran for state representative on the democratic ticket and was only defeated by a very small majority. Fraternally he was a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. His death, which occurred February 2, 1911, deprived the county of one of her well known and prosperous pioneer citizens and was sincerely mourned by a wide circle of friends.

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