In 1855 he is listed in the Rock County, Porter Census; Frank Smart, of the Smart family is listed with him in the same Township, although two other Smarts are listed in Rock County. 511

In 1860 lived in Porter, Rock County, Wis, Edgerton; age 8. 505

1870, Rock County, Wisc. Census.


1900 living Howard Cunty, Iowa, age 47. 523

1910 living Howard County, Iowa, age 57. 522

1930 living Black Hawk County, Iowa, age 77. 521

Dear Mr. Bower,

I am a descendent of Euphemia MacArthur and Robert Smart.

Here's some of my information about Robert:
Robert Smart is from Auchtermuchty, Scotland. This small town is situated at the very heart of the Howe of Fife, Auchtermuchty is one of Fife's oldest towns - the earliest known charter relating to the town is dated from 1517. Auchtermuchty was once noted for its thatched cottages, a rare sight in Scotland.

The Robert Smart family came to America about 1850 from Scotland. It took six weeks by boat to get here. Frances said her grandfather was difficult to understand because of his accent. Grandmother Smart had a soft "burr" and was not so formidable. Grandmother Smart liked it when Frances baked bread.Robert was an architect and designed a number of buildings including some churches in Iowa. He also helped to construct them.



My Great grandfather is Francis Robert Smart

My grandmother is Jessie Heloise Smart. While my grandmother died before I was born, my father is still alive (K. David Harris). Jessie's sister Frances was a dear aunt.

I would be happy to share any family information I have and would appreciate any information on Robert Smart and Euphemia MacArthur.

Jane Martino jhmartino@dmacc.edu


Dear Ken,
I would so appreciate having a copy of the Smart, McArthur information. I do have a number of pictures of your G Grandfather. One is pictured with his siblings.I'll try to get these scanned and sent to you. I'll also try and scan newspaper clippings. I have been using one of cheap programs, Heritage Family Tree, as an organizer. I like your idea of using webpages. It allows more freedom and it is universal. I think I'll switch to that.

My father, K. David Harris is 78. He loved your website! His sight is not good, but he could kind of see the pictures. He was thrilled.

Frank married my G Grandmother Jenny Heloise Bush on May 12, 1887. They had two daughters, Jessie (my grandmother), and Frances,(my great Aunt). My grandmother, Jessie Smart married Orville William Harris (a lawyer). They moved to Jefferson, Iowa. Frances married James Carman. They also moved to Jefferson where the couple farmed. My father went into the practice of law with his father in Jefferson (both Orville and my father K. David served as county attorney for our small rural county. My father later became a district court and Iowa Supreme Court Justice (http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/harris6.html http://www.judicial.state.ia.us/judges/supreme.asp). My husband is also a lawyer and he took over as county attorney in 1976. We have raised our daughters in this same community.

My father has quite a few stories which he heard from his mother.Frank was described as quite stern. Aunt Frances told me stories about him. She also told the stories to my Aunt Margeret (my father's sister). Here is one:



The story of the gun: As told by Frances Smart Carman to her niece Margaret Harris Engelhardt.

When Francis was about twelve he went to investigate the cause of a large crowd. A mob was trying to get a prisoner out of jail to lynch him. When the sheriff would not release him the mob decided to go and get a big log to break down the door. Someone seeing Frank Smart, and not realizing how young he was, gave him a gun and told him to watch the jail. If anyone tried to come out he was to fire the gun.

The mob was no sooner out of sight than the sheriff's wife came out and said, " Frank you look hungry, I have a fresh applie pie. Why don't you come and have some." While he was eating, the sheriff spirited the prisoner out and took him to the next county jail. The mob dispersed and no one ever claimed the gun.

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Francis R. Smart is listed as a proprietor of a second hand shop in the 1930 Census. He was 77 at the time.

There is another chapter to this story added about Jennie Bush Smart. One day she noticed a mean looking man who ran across the field into the barn. Feeling a need to protect the family, she got out this same gun. Then Jennie marched into the barn to force the man out. Luckily Frank drove into the yard. He had heard about an escaped criminal in the area. He relieved Jennie of the gun and the barn of the man.

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Francis R0bert Smart, 77 years, was murdered shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Saturday (Newspaper date April 13, 1930) at his office. Mr. Smart operated a real estate and second hand implement business at 406 Duryea Street in Waterloo.