William A. Smith was born in Orange county, New York, on September 28, 1856. His parents, Amzie L. and Rachel (Gray) Smith, were born in New York, in 1824, and died in 1896 and 1898 respectively. The father was colonel of the Home Guards in his county. Our subject grew to manhood in New York and was there educated. When eighteen, he farmer for himself and in 1878 he journeyed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming and dairying in Kane county. He also shipped hay and stock. He continued there for a number of years, excepting 1882, when he traveled through the middle states. In 1888, Mr. Smith came to Seattle and engaged in logging. He sold out there in 1892 and came to Nez Perces county and took a portion of his present place. It is a fine estate of eight hundred acres and provided with fine barns, residence, outbuildings, and other improvements that make it a first class place. Mr. Smith has been engaged in raising fine blooded hogs but is now turning his whole attention to raising cattle. He came here with twelve dollars cash and a pack animal and a riding cayuse but is now one of the prosperous men of the county.