John W. Smith, one of the old pioneers of Johnson County, was born in Floyd County, Ind., October 7, 1828, and is the son of Ada and Mary (Dale) Smith. The father was a native of Germany. Our subject was the second of a family of three children. He left Floyd County about 1836, and removed to Rush County, Ind., where he remained six years, removing to Shelby County, where he remained two years, and then returned to Rush County, where he remained one year, going thence to Johnson County, this state, and settling on the farm on which he now lives. During his early life he had no opportunity whatever to attend school, and it was not until after his marriage that he spent his first day as a pupil in a schoolroom and then only attended one month. He has always been fond of reading, and he has somewhat mitigated the lack of an early education, and is now a well-informed man. He now owns 200 acres of land, of which 100 acres are well improved. He was married to Miss Harriet McKee, August 10, 1847, and this union was blessed with the following children: Rose A., April 24, 1848; George W., November 24, 1849; Elizabeth W., January 10, 1851; John A., January 21, 1854; Elijah W., January 2, 1858; Maria P., February 13, 1860; Jacob H., August 1, 1862, and James A., October 10, 1864. In politics, Mr. Smith has always been a democrat, casting his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. He served his township as constable for six years. He was elected justice of the peace, but declined to serve. His chief occupation has been farming. In connection with this pursuit, he has given considerable attention to the culture of bees.