The Smith Families of Knox County, Ohio

The late lamented citizen of Morgan tcAvnship, Knox county, Ohio, whose honored name appears above, has a place in history as the man who entered the last one-hundred-and-twenty-five-acre tract of government land in that township, and as one who lived longer within the borders of the township than any other of its citizens.

Benjamin Smith, son of James Harrington and Martha (Davis) Smith, was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1807, and was brought by his parents to Knox county, Ohio, in 181 1. Such education as was available to him he acquired near his home in an old log school house with slab, seats and benches, and a big fireplace and greased-paper windows, and entirely destitute of anything like a floor. He was brought up toi farming and lived in the township continuously from 181 1 until his death, March 9, 1900, during the long period of eighty-nine years. He improved his farm and added to its acreage until it comprised one hundred and forty-six acres. In early life he was a Whig and later he was a Republican, and he was influential in local affairs, and was frequently called to places of trust and responsibility, though he was in no sense an office-seeker. He was a devout and consistent member of the Baptist church, always generously helpful to its various interests.

Mr. Smith married Sarah Brown January ly, 1833. INIrs. Smith, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, March 4, 1809, bore her husband two daughters: Martha Jane, who was born March 31, 1834, and died unmarried in 1855; and Sarah Ann, who was born October 19, 1836, on the farm on which she now lives and which she successfully manager.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM H. SMITH.

On the roster of county officials in Knox county appears the name of William H. Smith, who is now serving the second term as county recorder. A well-known statesman has said, "You may fool all of the American people some of the time: some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the American people all of the time." The truth of this is continually manifest in political life. It is a well-known fact that men by unworthy methods sometimes gain public office, but a discriminating public does not retain them there, and when one is re-elected to office it is very good evidence that he is deserving and trustworthy. Such is certainly the case with Mr. Smith, who is now capable serving in the position of county recorder for a second term.

He is one of Knox county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Milford township in 1836, and his ancestry may be traced back to one of the Revolutionary heroes, for his grandfather, Captain Henry Smith, commanded a company in the war for independ-. ence and was at Wheeling, West Virginia, when the place was surrounded by Indians. He wedded Mary Irisli, who was born in Ireland, and among their children was William H. Smith, the father of our subject. He was born in Ohio county, Virginia, in 1799 and in 183 emigrated to Knox county, Ohio, locating on a farm in Alilford township, where he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until 1866. A recognized leader in public thought and opinion, he was called upon to serve in many positions of trust and responsibility. He acted as township trustee and in other local offices and in 1843 " in 1845 "'s elected to the state legislature. Later he was a candidate for the state senate. His political belief was that of the Democratic party. He took an active part in trying to defeat the Walhondig canal and this caused his political defeat on one occasion, but time proved that his course was a wise one and that the people again placed confidence in his political work was shown by the fact that he was again elected to the legislature. He left the impress of his individuality upon many measures which came up for settlement in the house when he occupied a scat therein, and he ever commanded the respect of his colleagues by reason of his fidelity to his honest convictions. For many years he was a prominent member of the Presbyterian church in Milford township, and with every movement that had for-its object the general welfare he was in sympathy.

Hon. William H. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Esther Dill, who was born near Columbus, Ohio, a daughter of Andrew Dill, who served as a captain in the war of 1812 under General McArthur and was present at the time of Hull's surrender. Mr.

Smith died in Mount Vernon, in 1871, at the age of seventy-two years and the community thereby lost one of its honored and valued citizens. His wife survived until 1 89 1 and died in Tennessee at the age of eighty-one. The members of the family were: Henry, of Kossuth county, Iowa; Mary, deceased wife of Morris Mahan, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; William H.; James, who served as sergeant major in the Civil war and is now living in Tiffin, Ohio; Harriet, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and Thomas and Adalaide, who are also living in Knoxville.

In the common schools of this county William H. Smith pursued his education" and throughout his business career he has carried on general farming and stock-raising, following those pursuits on an extensive scale in Liberty township. His enterprise and industry, combined with good judgment, made him one of the leading and prosperous farmers of the community and everything about his place indicated his care and supervision. In 1897, however, he put aside the work of the farm to enter upon the duties of county recorder, to which office he had been elected in the fall of the previous year, for a three-years' term. In 1900 he was again chosen for the same position — -the election being a comment upon his efficiency and trustworthiness.- For twelve years he had served as justice of the peace in Milford township and was assessor both in Liberty and Milford townships. He has been a lifelong Democrat, very active in behalf of the; party.

Mr. Smith married Miss Hannah J. iVIilligan, of Miller township, a daughter of George Milligan, who came from Ohio county, Wirginia, to the Buckeve state. I

Their children are William H.; Elizabeth, at home; George, of Columbus; Esther, who assists her father in the recorder's office; Louisa, the wife of John Keys, of Liberty township; Hervey and Frances, who assist in the recorder's office. The family is widely known in the county and its members enjoy the warm regard of many friends.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN TAYLOR SMITH.

It is always pleasant and profitable to contemplate the career of a man who has won a definite goal in life, whose record has been such as to command the honor and respect of his fellow citizens. Such in brief is the record of John Taylor Smith, farmer of College township, Knox county, an honest, whole-souled gentleman who has tried to lead a life of sobriety and uprightness, one that would give offense to no one, laboring not only for his own advancement and that of his immediate family, but also for the improvement of the entire community whose interests he has long had at heart. Although he hails from the old Oriole state, the major part of his active career has been spent in the vicinity of which this history treats.

Mr. Smith was born in Washington county, Maryland, on November 26, 1846. He is the son of Joseph B. and Mary (Brewer) Smith; who grew up and were married in the Eastern states and came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1861, with their family, and settled on a farm in Pleasant township and here became very well established Politically, the father was a Republican, but was not active in public affairs, though always interested. Plis death occurred in February, 1869, when he was fifty-two years old, his widow surviving many years, her death having occurred in 1901 at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. Their family consisted of nine children, five of whom are now living, namely: John T., of this sketch; Mary, who married

Alva Steinmetz, he being now deceased; Elizabeth has remained single; Daniel B. lives in Mt. Vernon; Matilda married Edward Klring, of Mt. Vernon.

John T. Smith, of this sketch, was reared on the home farm where, as soon as old enough, he was put to work in the fields. During the winter months he attended the district schools. He was married on January 28, 1880, to Mary J. Boyd, daughter of Hugh and Jane (McLean) Boyd, of Clay township, Knox county. Three children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: J. Boyd; Grace L. is deceased; Joseph Charles is also deceased. The living child is married and is making his home with his father, assisting with the general work on the farm.

After his marriage John T. Smith began farming in Pleasant township, this county, where he remained ten years, then moved to College township in 1890, locating on the farm where he still resides, and which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation. In connection with general farming he makes a specialty of raising sheep, keeping large herds, which, owing to their excellent quality, bring good prices. He has been successful in the wool business and for twenty-five years he engaged in sawmilling in Pleasant township. He has been very successful in a business way and now has a good farm, a pleasant home and a fair competency.

Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican and he has been active in public affairs. He has been township trustee and school director for several years. He was elected county commissioner in 1901 and he served two terms or seven years. He has always discharged his duties very acceptably and efficiently in all public positions. He has been a frequent delegate to district and county conventions, and is an influential and well known citizen in this part of the county. Fraternally, lie is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Mt. Vernon Lodge, also the Pleasant Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, being a charter member of No. 677, of the latter. He has been an active member and officer in the Grange. He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church, in which he is an elder and an active worker in the church and Sunday school.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HOMER C. SMITH.

The present age is essentially utilitarian and in the life of every successful man carries a lesson which, told in contemporary narrative, is productive of much good in shaping the destiny of others. There is, therefore, a due measure of satisfaction in presenting, even in brief resume, the life and achievements of such men, and in preparing the following history of the successful young business man of Centerburg whose name initiated this paragraph, it is with the hope that it may prove not only interesting and instructive, but also serve as an incentive to those who contemplate a business career. Mr. Smith possesses concentration of purpose and energy that laughs at restraint. excellent judgment and the executive ability that makes everything undertaken accomplish the purpose for which intended.

Mr. Smith.was born in Centerburg, this county, on October 5, 1877. He is the son of William and Esther (Hopkins) Smith, both natives of Greene county, Pennsylvania, where they grew up. were educated and married, coming to Bloomfield, Morrow county, Ohio, in 1867, where they remained until 1875, when they moved to Centerburg, where Mr. Smith engaged in the grain business and afterward the clothing business until his death, on April 16, 1896. He did a large business and was one of the leading men of the community, well known and highly respected. Politically, he was a Republican and for years was active in local political affairs. He filled the office of mayor of Centerburg in a most commendable manner and for some time was a member of the town council, also of the board of education. Fraternally, he belonged to Bloomfield Lodge No. 422, Free and Accepted Masons, and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and superintendent of the Sunday school for a period of twenty-two years. He was a devout man and active in church affairs, and a man of unquestioned integrity. During the Civil war he proved his loyalty to the Union and made a faithful soldier in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His widow survives, making her home at Centerburg.

Homer C. Smith, of this sketch, was reared in Centerburg — in fact, has always lived here. He was educated in the public schools and was graduated from the local high school in 1894. Following his graduation he engaged in the grocery business from 1894 until 1907, enjoying an excellent trade with the town and surrounding country. He next turned his attention to the shoe and the produce business, the latter growing to large proportions. In January, 1911, he established the Arch City Produce Company at Columbus for the purpose of handling butter and eggs to jobbers, and it proved to be most successful from the first, an extensive trade soon being established. He still maintains his shoe store in Centerburg, which is one of the best known in the county, customers from a wide radius coming here, for they always find a large, up-to-date and carefully selected stock and courteous and obliging clerks. The very best shoes are handled and this splendid store would do credit to a town much larger than Centerburg.

Mr. Smith was married on June 24, 1908, to Feme Miller, daughter of William and Mary (Payne) Miller, her father being a prominent dry goods merchant of Centerburg.

Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican and he is active in public affairs, endorsing and supporting all progressive movements. He has filled many of the local offices and is at present a member of the town council and school board. As a public servant he has discharged his every duty in a faithful and conscientious manner, to the satisfaction of all the people.

Fraternally, Mr. Smith is a member of Bloomfield Lodge No. 422, Free and Accepted Masons, and he and his wife are members of Manila Chapter No. 100, Eastern Star. Fie is a member of Hawthorne Lodge No. 228, Knights of Pythias, and the Sons of Veterans. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has been superintendent of the Sunday school for a number of years, succeeding his father. lie is also a member of the official board of the church. He and his estimable wife are prominent in local social circles. They have a pleasant home and are most affable and hospitable, numbering their friends only by the limits of their acquaintance.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.