James M. Smeltzer is the son of Jacob Smelser b. abt 1807, probably in Tennessee. James' Y-DNA would have been I1-Z140* based on testing of other family members. James father's federal census files show both TN and KY as place of birth but further family research suggests that TN, probably in the Overton, TN area, was the most likely place of birth for James M. Smeltzer's father Jacob. James was born in Illinois, the family being in the Knox County, Galesburg area, in the late 1830's. His uncle Isaiah Smelser b. abt 1801 TN acquired property in Knox County, Il in 1836 right around the time of the Black Hawk Wars. Isaiah later move his family and some of Jacob's family to Oregon in about 1854. Joseph Rowe from Virginia, a "next door" neighbor to the family was one of the earliest settlers in Knox County and was part of the militia defending the frontier at about that same time. James mother is only "seen" in the 1850 federal census and is listed by the first name of "Polly". Polly was often used as a nickname for Mary ... so as of this date ... Feb 15, 2011, we remain uncertain who "mom" really is. Joseph Rowe does in fact have a daughter named Polly as well .... of about the right age. Associated families at the time Jacob would have been married in about 1828, likely in Hart County, KY included Logsdon, Rice, Puckett, Jaggers, Bush, West, Richardson, Reames, Wardrip, Bilyeu / Belew / Blue, and Dawson to name a few. There is at least one family member, unknown, buried in the "Rice-Blue Cemetery" in Knox County, IL near Galesburg. We have yet to determine who she is. James marries Louisa Jane Beetley, a recent arrival from Warren County, Pennsylvania and they had seven children with six reaching adulthood. James dies at the age of 40 from "consumption" per his Madison County, Iowa death record leaving son Frank, the oldest, in-charge of the farm at the age of 15 or 16. The children of James and Louisa are: Frank W.; Frances Lenora "Nora"; Hattie; James Elmer; Idah Eldora; Julius; and Harry. Harry passed at a very early age. Frank W. ... we believe the "W" stands for Walter but we aren't positive ... married Allie May Crooks. They had no children of their own but raised two of Frances Lenora's children after "Nora" passed. "Nora" married Seth Washington McCleary. Hattie marries a Hamlin and lives in Washington State the rest of her life. James Elmer married Nora May Thompson and lived in the Linden Iowa area. Idah Eldora married Clinton Brooker. They are buried in the Minburn (Iowa) cemetery. Julius married Carrie Chance and lived in Kansas City for a time, later, seemingly divorced from Carrie, he lived in the Seattle area and we believe passed in New York.