E. Delafield Smith was born in New York City on February 1, 1862, to E. Delafield and Charlotte Elephal Smith. The father was a lawyer. He came to North Dakota with his brother Herbert in 1882. He purchased Sections 17 and 19 in Larrabee Township. This was railroad land and he purchased it at $3 an acre with railroad stock, which he had inherited from his mother.
In 1889 he married Annie May Sneden in New Jersey.
The couple returned to their farm near Lake Juanita where they farmed and prospered. Mr. Smith bought stock, notes or anything he could make a profit on. In 1891, he purchased a general store in Carrington, which he later sold. In 1895 he started the Foster County State Bank in Carrington, which he operated with the help of his wife and brother. He sold his banking interests in 1903.
Mrs. Smith was a talented musician. Mr. Smith was well known as a horse trader. In later years he also operated a collection agency. He built several nice homes in Carrington. They had no children.
Mr. Smith also owned property in Canada. He did a great deal of traveling. He spent his last year living at the Buchanan Hotel in Carrington. He was truly a legendary figure in the area.
He died in August 1949 and is buried at Jamestown.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 39B