Firm History

The firm currently known by the name Smith & Kultala LLP was originated by Jeremiah Frank Smith who was born in Lebanon, Ohio on October 7, 1847. Mr. Smith arrived in Southeast Iowa from Ohio in the Spring of 1857 and lived with his mother, his sister, and his maternal grandparents on a farm near Charleston, Iowa. In 1864 he, along with his mother and sister, moved to Keokuk, Iowa.

In the mid 1870’s he “read the law” under attorney Joseph T. Anderson, who was a partner in the firm of Gilmore & Anderson. After sufficient study, he appeared before a committee of practicing attorneys and judges for an examination. As result of the examination, he was admitted to the Bar in Lee County, Iowa in the year 1876. Shortly thereafter, he opened his own office. He continued in the active practice of law until March of 1907. Mr. Smith died on June 30, 1908.

Mr. Smith’s younger sister, Nannie Margaret Smith, was born on October 21, 1851. She also came to Iowa from Ohio in 1857. Like her brother, she lived in Charleston with her mother and maternal grandparents. After her brother had been admitted to the Bar in Lee County, she joined him and read the law for a number of years while assisting him in his practice of law. At the suggestion of other lawyers practicing in the area, she also took an examination before a committee of practicing attorneys and judges. The examination took place on November 6, 1879. She was given one hour to prepare. She was successful and was sworn in by Judge Drayer. Thereafter, she joined her brother, and together, they created the firm known as J.F. & N.M. Smith. Ms. Smith was thought to be the first woman admitted to the practice of law in Keokuk and the second in the State of Iowa. She continued to practice until the time of her death, which occurred on December 12, 1938.

The son of Jeremiah Frank Smith, whose name was Ralph Buell Smith, was born on February 5, 1883. He was a graduate from the Drake University School of Law in Des Moines, Iowa in the year 1904. He returned to the firm established by his father and his aunt and engaged in the general practice of the law and operated an abstract of title company, which was then associated with the law firm. Mr. Smith was a charter member of the Iowa Title Association, now known as the Iowa Land Title Association. He was president of that association in the years 1927 and 1928. He practiced law for many years. Towards the end of his career, he was appointed Superior Court Judge. He died on January 25, 1967.

Ralph Buell Smith’s son born, on February 1, 1913, was also named Ralph Buell Smith. He was known by the name R. Buell Smith. He also attended Drake University and Drake University Law School. He graduated in the year 1936 and was admitted to the Bar of the State of Iowa on June 4, 1936. Like his father, he was a member of the Iowa Land Title Association and served as president of that association in the years 1957 and 1958. He was otherwise engaged in the general practice of law in and about the area of Keokuk, Lee County, Iowa until his death, which occurred on July 26, 1974.

Robert B. Dickey was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on April 12, 1928. He attended the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor Degree in June 1952. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1952 and served in the Judge Advocate General’s Corp of the U.S. Air Force beginning in November 1952. After leaving the Air Force, he practiced as a sole practitioner for one year, becoming a member of the firm first known as Smiths’ & Dickey on January 1, 1955. He retired from the firm in 2000. He was Lee County Attorney and Deputy Lee County Attorney for a total of 16 years. He served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Iowa Bar Association for two terms.

John H. Smith was born on January 11, 1942, the son of R. Buell Smith. He attended the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa College of Law and earned a Juris Doctor degree in June of 1966. After an approximately 3-year tour with the United States Army, he became a member of the law firm, thereafter to be called Smith, Dickey and Smith. He served for five years on the Iowa Title Standards committee of the Iowa Bar Association and was a contributor to the Iowa Bar Association’s Real Estate Manual published in 2003. He continues the general practice of law as a partner of the firm.

John E. Kultala was born in Estherville, Iowa, on the 12th day of December 1949. He attended Iowa State University and received a Bachelor of Science with Honors. He thereupon attended the University of Iowa College of Law and received a Juris Doctor degree With Distinction in the year of 1975. He joined this firm in June 1975 becoming a partner in 1977. Mr. Kultala is a member of the Iowa Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association and the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association, where he served as a member of its Board of Directors for ten years. Mr. Kultala has been re-appointed to the Iowa Trial Lawyers Board of Directors effective December 2004. Mr. Kultala has been a member of the South Lee County Bar Association since 1975 having served in the past as its Treasurer and President. He is also a member of the Iowa Association of Workers Compensation Lawyers, Inc. Mr. Kultala continues as a partner of the firm in the general practice of law.

Matthew D. Bessine was born on July 29, 1976, in Burlington, Iowa. He attended the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa College of Law and earned a Juris Doctor degree in May of 2001. He subsequently became a member of the Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri bar associations and is currently licensed to practice in those states. After four years of practicing in the Kansas City metropolitan area Mr. Bessine has returned to Southeast Iowa to join this firm as an associate.

Clinton R. Boddicker was born on October 7, 1970, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He attended Alburnett High School in Alburnett, Iowa, graduating in 1989. He attended college at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1993. While at UNI, Mr. Boddicker double-majored in Political Science and History and graduated With Highest Honors. He received the Purple and Old Gold Award for meritorious scholarship in the field of political science. Mr. Boddicker attended law school at the University of Iowa College of Law in Iowa City, Iowa, and graduated With High Distinction from the law school in 1996. While at the law school, he was awarded the Robert S. Hunt Legal History Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the field of legal history. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Iowa State Bar Association, The Missouri Bar, and the South Lee County Bar Association. Mr. Boddicker is licensed to practice in Iowa, Missouri, and before the United States Supreme Court. He currently resides in Keokuk with his wife, Regina, and his two children.

As of the year 2006, the firm continues to be known as Smith & Kultala LLP. Its members are John H. Smith and John E. Kultala.