The Smith Families of Montgomery County, Ohio

JACOB SMITH, one of the early settlers of Butlertownship, Montgomery county, Ohio, is a son of one of the first of the pioneers of Dayton. He is of an ancient North Carolina family which was of German origin, his grandfather having been born in Germany, and having come to this country and settled in North Carolina, where he lived for many years.

Henry Smith, father of Jacob, was born in Stokes county, N. C., in 1795. When he was eighteen years of age he packed up his small possessions in a hand rachel and came to Ohio, settling in Dayton. At this time, in 1813, Col. Reed was the landlord of Newcom tavern, and for him Henry went to work as a hostler, also performing any kind of work about the village that he could find to do. He remained in Dayton six years and then went to Springboro, Warren county, Ohio, where he worked on a farm for one year. At Springboro he married Elizabeth Deardorff, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Deardorff, who were of Pennsylvania- Dutch stock. Jacob Deardorff was a pioneer farmer of Warren county, and served for many years as justice of the peace, coming from Pennsylvania at an early day. His children were: Jacob, John, Abner, Gregory, Elizabeth and Margaret. Mr. Deardorff was an old Regular Baptist in religion, and was deacon in his church for many years. He died when about seventy-three years of age and his wife when she was ninety-one years old.

Henry Smith and wife settled the next spring after their marriage on a lot at the corner of Wayne and Third streets, Dayton, Ohio, which was then all covered over with timber. Here he built a log cabin, and for one year worked at such labor as presented itself. He then took out his papers for sixteen acres of land four miles out on the New Troy pike, where he erected a log cabin in the woods. The next spring he and his wife removed to their new home, and he engaged himself industriously in clearing up the land, and by thrift and good management, working his little farm and burning charcoal, which he hauled to Dayton, he prospered. Adding to his land from time to time, he finally owned 800 acres, and became one of the most substantial farmers of the county.

Mr. Smith and his wife were the parents of the following children: Hannah, Jacob, John, Benjamin, Mary J., Margaret, William H., Ellen, Franklin and James W. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Smith was an old-line Whig in his early days, later in life becoming a Republican. During the late Civil war he was a strong Union man, and had four sons in the army, viz: William, Franklin, James and

Jacob, all in Ohio regiments. William served one year and was discharged because he was wounded by a shell at Chickamauga. Franklin was second lieutenant in the First Ohio volunteer infantry, served three years and was in many battles, among them Pittsburg Landing. James was in the one hundred days’ service.

Jacob Smith was born on the home farm September 24, 1826, and was educated in the poor common schools of his boyhood days. He began early to work on the farm, clearing the land, holding the plow, and leading the life of toil of the pioneer. On March 23, 1847, he married, in Wayne township, Rosanna Lowrey, who was born February 24, 1828, and was a daughter of James and Nancy (Stoker) Lowrey. James Lowrey was a pioneer settler of Wayne township, was born in Kentucky about 1788, and came to Montgomery county, Ohio, with his parents. He died in 1835, when but forty-seven years old. His children were as follows: Elizabeth, William,

Catherine, Sarah, Grace, James, David and Rosanna. The Lowrey family was a highly respected one, and most of its members belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Three days after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Smith settled on the farm on which they now live. It then consisted of fifty acres of land, which he bought of his father. This he cleared and at length purchased the remainder of the tract, and then had 160 acres, which he much improved in every way, but especially by the erection of good buildings. His children were as follows: Henry, George,

Catherine, Belle, Arthur, Lorena, Lewis K. and Elmer. Mrs. Smith was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and died January 23, 1 893.

Politically Mr. Smith is a republican. Enlisting at Chambersburg, Ohio, May 10, 1864, he afterward became second lieutenant of company E, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio volunteer infantry. His company was consolidated with another company, and he, losing his commission, resigned. As a republican and a capable citizen, Mr. Smith served his party as township trustee for eleven years, and as justice of the peace eighteen months. He also served as a member of the school board twenty-two years. Four of his sons are living in Dayton, Ohio.

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

JAMES W. SMITH, a retired farmer of Harrison township, was born within four miles of Dayton, on the Troy pike, north of the city, November 17, 1843. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Deardorf) Smith, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Berks county, Pa. They were the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters, as follows: Hannah, widow of James W. Lowry; Jacob, John; Margaret, wife of S. M. Foote; Benjamin, deceased; Mary J., widow of John S. Protsman; Martha, wife of S. W. Massey, of Osborn, Ohio;

Franklin, deceased; William H. and James W. Henry Smith was by occupation a farmer, and at an early day settled near Springboro, Ohio. After living there a short time he removed to Dayton, where he remained for several years, and then bought a farm four miles north of Dayton, to which he removed, and added to it until at the time of his death he had about 700 acres of land. He was largely engaged in hauling wood to Dayton, and thereby became widely known as “Wood Smith.” He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church; in fact, they were among the founders of Ebenezer Methodist church, which many remember to the present day. His death occurred January 14, 1861, in his sixty-sixth year, while Mrs. Smith died December 9, 1878, at the age of seventy-seven years.

The paternal grandfather of James W. Smith was a native of North Carolina. The maternal grandfather, Jacob Deardorf, was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1801, and settled near Springboro. He made the journey down the Ohio river by flatboat, landed at Cincinnati, and came thence direct to Springboro. Here he engaged in farming and in running a saw-mill for a number of years, reared a family of five children, and died upon his farm.

James W. Smith was reared on the farm in Harrison township, and received a good education in the common schools. At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in the Eighty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served three months. After the war had closed be began farming and has followed that calling ever since, with the exception of about two years spent in Osborn.

Mr. Smith was married March 5, 1872, to Miss Susanne Neff, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Doan) Neff. To them have been born no children. They are members of the First

Reformed church of Dayton, and Mr. Smith is a member of Reed Commandery, No. 6, K. T.

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

JOHN A. SMITH, house over and raiser, Dayton, Ohio, was born in Lancaster, Pa., August 22, 1828. He is a son of Richard and Catherine (Allbright) Smith, the former of whom was a native of London, England, coming to the United States when he was seven years old, and the latter was a native of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, four of the six still surviving, as follows: John A., Isaac M., Jacob A., and

David. Richard Smith was a teamster by occupation, driving a six-horse team between Philadelphia and Pittsburg before there was any railroad in that part of the country. His death occurred in Lancaster when he was thirty-eight years of age. His wife survived him until 1880, and died at eighty-one years of age. Both were members of the Dunkard church, and both were people of excellent character and disposition. Richard Smith's father lived to a good old age, dying in England. Richard was his only son.

The maternal grandfather of John A. Smith was named Jacob Allbright. He was a native of Pennsylvania and married Miss Rebecca Moon. Both died near Efferty, Lancaster county, Pa. He was a brushmaker by trade and died when about eighty-seven, she dying when about sixty.

John A. Smith was reared on a farm in Lancaster county, Pa., and when seven years of age his parents hired him to a Mr. Jacob Bolinger, a Dunkard preacher, for seventy-five cents per month. He remained with Mr. Bolinger for seven years, in the meantime attending school to some extent. When he was fourteen years of age he removed to northern Ohio, and went to work for an uncle in Seneca county, remaining with him for about five years. At the end of this period he entered the employment of Mr. Wallace, superintendent of the Mad River railroad, the first road built from Sandusky to Springfield, Ohio, his work being to measure the wood and timber for the road. He then served a three years’ apprenticeship at the carpenter’s trade, after which he dealt for some time in horses. In 1851 he went to Marshall, Ill., and assisted in building there the Presbyterian college, and while thus engaged was married, June 27, 1852, to Miss Amelia C. Boyer, daughter of Rev. Joshua and Susannah Boyer of that place. To this marriage there have been born five children, as follows: Frances Loretta, Amanda Alfaretta, Dora Ellen, Dayton Wilbert and Hattie May. Frances Loretta married Jacob Haynes and with her husband lives in Dayton. Amanda Alfaretta died at the age of thirteen years. Dora Ellen married Martin Messier, and they have five children, viz: Grace, Edward, Harry, Martha and John.

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

JOHN A. SMITH.

John A. Smith, the superintendent of Greencastle cemetery, Harrison township, and the owner of several pieces of property in the city of Dayton, is one of the oldest settlers in his part of the township. He was born in 1828 and is the son of Richard and Catherine (Albrecht) Smith. The father was born in England and went to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, when he first came to the United States. Subsequently he came to Ohio, where he made his home until his death. He had devoted his life to farming and was a man active and prominent in all affairs.

John A. Smith made the best use he could of such educational facilities as the schools of this county afforded in that early period of formation. Upon the completion of his education he entered the railroad business, although he had worked somewhat at the carpenter’s trade, subsequently abandoning the former occupation in favor of the latter. After a few years he undertook numerous building contracts in connection with which he finally engaged in house moving. This period of his activity in the world of labor was broken by his participation in the great war that threatened to disrupt the Union. When the call for men to fight in its defense spread through the country, Mr. Smith was among the first to respond and enlisted in the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He saw three years of active service and took part in several battles that have been regarded as important in the history of the war. In one of these he was disabled by having his arm broken. He was a valiant man and a good soldier and bears a record of which no one need be ashamed. After the war he took up carpentering and housemoving which he followed until about 1875, and then followed house-moving alone until 1906.

On the 27th of June, 1852, Mr. Smith married Miss Amelia C. Boyer, the daughter of Joshua and Susanna (Buck) Boyer. Her father was a plasterer by trade and came to Ohio from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he was born. During his life he was a man well known and respected in the community where he lived. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had a family of five children. Frances, the eldest of the family, is the wife of Jacob Hains,of Dayton. Amanda has passed away. Dayton W.,a carpenter by trade, married Miss Emma Barthel and is the father of five children, Mabel, Martha, Robert, Bessie and Elwood. Of these Mabel is married to Harvey Deeter, and is the mother of one child. Ellen, the fourth child of the family, married Martin Messier and is the mother of eight children and the grandmother of two. Her eldest daughter, Grace, married Alanda Hart and has one son, Howard, a great-grandchild to the subject of this sketch. Edward and Harry follow in the Messier family, and Martha comes next. She married John Dishong and is the mother of Eugenia, another great-grandchild. Maud, Irvins, Roy, Fay and Richard are the other members of this family. Hattie, the fifth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, was married to Otto Jones, and they are survived by two sons, John J. and Smith E.

Mr. Smith belongs to the United Brethren church in Dayton and is one of its oldest members, besides being among those most zealous in the propagation of its doctrines by silent example. His life, of a span of years more numerous than are allotted to the majority of mankind, has been filled with earnest endeavor, and he is reluctant to give up active duties even at his advanced age. A life such as his cannot but have its lessons for the younger generation, though perhaps its greatest influence rests in his blue soldier’s uniform that serves as a constant reminder of what every citizen should be willing to endure for the land to which they owe allegiance.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

WEBSTER S. SMITH, M. D.

With full appreciation of the duties and responsibilities that devolve upon him in his official connection Dr. Webster S. Smith is giving to the public excellent service in his professional capacity and the substantial qualities of his manhood are winning for him the high regard as well of those whom he meets socially. He was born in Dayton, in 1856, a son of Isaac M. and Phoebe (Wellbaum) Smith. His grandfather was Richard Smith and his great-grandfather in the material line was" Charles Wellbaum, who was one of the hired Hessian troops sent to this country to aid the English at the time of the Revolutionary war. His sympathies were aroused on behalf of the colonies, however, and he deserted the English ranks and is supposed to have done all in his power to aid in establishing American independence.

Isaac M. Smith, the father of Dr. Smith, was born in 1830 and came to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1854. He was a carpenter by trade and was identified with building operations in this locality until after the inauguration of the Civil war when, constrained by a spirit of patriotism, he responded to the country’s call for aid, enlisting as a private in Company G, Sixty-six Illinois SharpShooters, with which he served for three years. In the early part of the war he was taken prisoner by the Confederate troops and was held by them for about two months. He married Phoebe Wellbaum, the wedding being celebrated in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1855. Two children were born unto them, the younger being Harry M. Smith, now of New York city. The father died April 25, 1907.

Dr. Smith was reared in Dayton and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed prior to taking up preparation for a professional career. In 1877 he entered the Ohio Medical College and was graduated in 1880 on the completion of a three years’ course. He then located for practice in Salem, Montgomery county, Ohio, where he remained for two years when he removed to West Milton, Miami county, Ohio, where he continued for thirteen years. During that period his constantly increasing practice was promoting his efficiency as he learned the lessons which one may always gain from experience in any walk in life. In 1895 he sought the broader field of labor offered by (he city and came to Dayton, where he has continued in active practice. His ability is recognized by many patrons and in his daily round of professional duties he has demonstrated his skill in coming with the complex problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to check the ravages of disease and restore health.

Dr. Smith was married in Dayton in 1881 to Miss Margaret E. Shriver, a daughter of the late Dr. John W. Shriver, and they now have two sons, Howard S. and Charles S. Dr. Smith belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Sons of Veterans and in his fraternal relations has gained many warm friends. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is known, moreover, as a valued member of several professional organizations. He is now visiting physician to the Miami Valley Hospital and he belongs to the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association and the Montgomery County Medical Society, of which he has served as secretary and censor, while at the present time he is filling the position of president. He enjoys the warm regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity by reason of the fact that he holds to a high standard in practice and closely conforms to professional ethics.

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

WEBSTER S. SMITH, physician; P. O., Clayton. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biography was born in Montgomery County, Nov. 13, 1856. His father, Isaac, was a native of Lancaster Co., Pa., and emigrated to Ohio and settled in Dayton, engaging in the business of contracting and building, which he followed until 1861, the breaking out of the rebellion. Mr. Smith was among the first volunteers, enlisting in the 66th Regt., Ill. Yol. Inf., known as “Burgs’ SharpShooters,” and served three years. Soon after receiving his discharge was united in marriage with Phoebe Wellbaum, daughter of Christian Wellbaum. They were the parents of two sons, viz: Harry and Webster S. Our subject received his primary education in the common schools, and graduated in the high school of Dayton. He engaged in teaching school and spent the days of vacation in the office of Dr. John Davis, preparing himself for the medical profession. He attended the lectures of the Ohio Medical College, receiving his diploma March 2, 1880, and commenced the practice of medicine in the village of Salem.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

LEWIS R. SMITH, an honored citizen of Brookville, and one of the old soldiers of the Civil war, was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 24, 182. He is a son of Peter and Catherine (Richard) Smith, the Smith family being of Pennsylvania- Dutch stock and from an old colonial family. On the mother’s side, the grandfather of the subject came from Germany, and the mother was born on the ocean during the voyage of the family to America.

Lewis R. Smith was taken by his parents to Montgomery county, they settling on the present site of Phillipsburg, when he was but six years of age, in 1834. He received the rudiments of his education in the common schools, and later went to Indiana, where he learned the wagon and carriagemaker’s trade, afterward mastering the carpenter’s trade. When he was twenty-eight years old he married Lydia Davis, daughter of George Davis, a native of England. After his marriage he settled at Phillipsburg, where he worked at his trade, that of carpenter. The war of the Rebellion having broken out, Mr. Smith enlisted at Dayton, Ohio, on August 15, 1861, as a member of company D, Eighteenth United States infantry, and while on the way to Pittsburg Landing was transferred to company B, of the same regiment, and made orderly sergeant. He was honorably discharged August 15, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio. In October,

1864, he enlisted in company F, Seventh United States veteran volunteers (called Hancock's veteran United States volunteers) for one year, and served his time, thus giving four full years to his country’s cause. He was in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Pittsburg Landing, the siege of Corinth, the battle of Chickamauga, beside many skirmishes and several raids. He received no gunshot wounds, but was struck on the right wrist by a ball and slightly wounded at the battle of Stone River. At this battle his captain had both legs shot off by a cannon ball and the lieutenant of his company was killed. During the remainder of the engagement Sergt. Smith was in command of the company, most of whose members were killed, so severe was the fighting.

Sergt. Smith was sick for a short time in hospital No. 13. Nashville, Tenn., and was made a commissary sergeant. He was placed in the convalescent camp at Nashville, Tenn., was ordered before the board of transfer, and made clerk of said board, in which capacity he served for two months. After this board was disbanded, Sergt. Smith was sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he served at headquarters as clerk until discharged. Always an earnest soldier, he was in all the battles, skirmishes, marches, campaigns and raids of his regiment. The severest engagements in which he took part were those of Stone River and Chickamauga, in which the regular troops performed very efficient service. The battle of Stone River lasted nearly all of one week, from the first skirmish to the end of the fighting. Sergt. Smith was at the time of the war in the prime of life, vigorous and hardy, and endured all the hardships of a soldier’s life with fortitude and courage. After the close of the war he returned to Phillipsburg, Ohio.

His first wife died previous to his entering the army in 1 86 1. By her he had two children, both of whom died young. On January 31, 1865, he married Mary Thomas, a widow, who was born in Montgomery county, March 26, 1741, and was a daughter of John and Nancy (Warner) Johnf. She was the widow of Seth Thomas, who was a soldier in the Sixty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and who died in hospital at Memphis, Tenn., September 31, 1862.

John John$ was of Welsh descent and a pioneer of Montgomery county, and a substantial farmer.

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

GEORGE BANCROFT SMITH.

Commercial and industrial activity are the foundation upon which rests the upbuilding and prosperity of every city. Dayton finds in George Bancroft Smith a prominent and well known representative of its business life, for he is the president of The Kinnard Manufacturing Company, his executive ability and keen discrimination proving vital elements in the successful control of this important enterprise. Mr. Smith was born in Pbillipsburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, November 16, 1867, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the state. His father, Lewis R. Smith, was born near Canton, Ohio, October 24, 1827, and served for a time with the Eighteenth United States Regulars and also in a regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry. His military service covered four years during the period of the Civil war and he took part in the hotly contested battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga and others of almost equal prominence..

Reared at the place of his nativity to the age of twelve years, George Bancroft Smith then accompanied his parents on their removal to Brookville, another town of Montgomery county, where he continued until 1888. In the meantime he had acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and was graduated in 1887 from the Miami Commercial College. On attaining his majority he came to Dayton to secure the broader business opportunities afforded in that city and here entered the Tiger Hat Store as salesman and bookkeeper, remaining in that position for eight months. lie next became bookkeeper for The Smith & Vaile Company, continuing with that house for seventeen years through the different changes in partnership, it being now conducted under the name of The Platt Iron Works Company. He gradually rose as his ability was recognized and as his powers in this specific line increased they brought Mr. Smith to the position of assistant secretary and treasurer, but at length he resigned to accept the position of confidential secretary to Eugene J. Barney, in which capacity he still continues. Since that time, however, he has extended his labors into other fields and in April, 1896, was made secretary and treasurer of The Craig-Reynolds Foundry Company in which Mr. Barney is largely interested. In January, 1907, he was elected a director of The Kinnard Manufacturing Company and in January, 1908, was chosen its secretary. On the death of the president, W. M. Kinnard, in February, 1908, Mr. Smith was placed in temporary charge and in May of the same year was chosen president and general manager. He is thus in a position of executive control and his understanding of the business in its various phases well enables him to carefully manage its interests.

Mr. Smith is equally active and influential along lines of moral development and progress, and in these connections occupies various official positions, being at the present time a trustee of the Young Men’s Christian Association; secretary of the Door of Hope Association; secretary of the First Reformed church and superintendent of its Sunday school. He was at one time a member of the board of education and is a member of the executive committee of the Dayton branch of the University Extension. He is the first vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and is an interested cooperant in all of the movements which the organization puts forth for municipal progress. He is a member of the Montgomery County Horticultural Society, belongs to the Sons of Veterans and in all of these different relations labors for advancement where progress is proving a factor in the world’s work. His political allegiance is given to the republican party where state and national questions are involved but at local elections he votes independently.

In 1900 Mr. Smith was married in West Alexandria to Miss Holly Denny and they have one daughter, Martha Catharine Smith. The life history of our subject is another illustration of the fact that ability and worth will come to the front and that intelligently directed effort and fidelity will eventually win its merited reward. He possesses many substantial qualities, is respected wherever known and most honored by his immediate associates who have best opportunity to judge of his worth.

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

OLIVER J. SMITH.

A farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres in Madison township yields a substantial annual revenue to Oliver J. Smith in reward for the care and labor which he bestow on the fields as the years pass by. This place is pleasantly and conveniently located about six miles north of Dayton, so that the advantages of the city are easily obtainable. Mr. Smith was born September 23, 1861, in the county which is still his home, his father being the Rev. John Smith, a resident of Trotwood. The paternal grandfather, Abraham Smith, came from Pennsylvania only a few years after the admission of Ohio into the Union and about 1810 settled on what is now the. old Smith homestead where his grandson, Oliver J. Smith, now resides. There he faced all the hardships, privations and dangers of pioneer life at a time when Indians still lived in the state and when the forests were frequented by various wild animals and much wild game. In many portions of the state there were no roads, only the light Indian trails, but one by one the early settlers came and reclaimed the region for the purpose of civilization. Abraham Smith bore his full share in the work of general progress and became a well known and prominent farmer.

His son, Rev. John Smith, was for many years active in the ministry of the Dunkard church. He is now one of the oldest native residents of the county, his birth having occurred on the farm which is occupied by his son Andrew W. In all of his business affairs he displayed keen judgment and careful management and became one of the largest landowners in the county. While he is now practically retired from business life, he is still active in the work of the church at the age of eighty-two years and yet preaches to some extent in different churches in this part of the county. His influence has long been a strong and potent element for good for he has spoken many words of truth and wisdom which have sunk deep in the hearts of his hearers and in time have brought forth the fruits of righteousness. He married Susan Wolfe, who shared with him in his interest in the church and did all in her power to assist him in its upbuilding.

In his youthful days Oliver J. Smith was sent to the district schools and when not busy with his text-books his time was occupied with the work of the fields. He has been very successful in farming, which he those as a life work, and his persistent labor finds its manifestation in well tilled fields and bountiful harvests. His place comprises one hundred and thirty-five acres of fine farm land on the Dayton and Salem pike about six miles north of the courthouse in Dayton and bordering the main road and also the Dayton & Northern Traction line. His residence has been recently erected and is built in modern style of architecture, containing all the conveniences and improvements of the present age. There is a large barn upon the place and also substantial outbuildings so that his stock is well house and his grain kept from the inclement weather. His residence sets some distance back from the roadway and is surrounded by a well kept lawn adorned by many fine trees. It is one of the pleasing features of the landscape and the entire place is pervaded by an air of neatness and thrift.

Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Smith was married May 23, 1886, to Miss Amelia Cart, a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Bosore) Cart. The father was a farmer by occupation and came to this part of the country from New York. He was a son of Philip and Louise (Kuntz) Cart, who were natives of Germany and became the founders of the family in the new world. The grandmother became a resident of this county and died in Madison township. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith was blessed with seven children. Roger C., who was born June 7, 1888, has engaged in teaching but is now further pursuing his own education in Oxford, Ohio. Mabel S., born September 25, 1889, is at home. Homer C., born November 19, 1891, assists in the operation of the farm. Carrie I., born September 25, 1893, is attending high school. Walter W., born January 3, 1895, is a pupil in school. Florence M., born October 24, 1896, is pursuing her education. Grace E., born April 29, 1904, complete the family. The parents and children belong to the German Baptist church and take a most helpful interest in all of its activities. They are people of genuine personal worth, occupying an enviable position in the social circles in which they move, while the hospitality of the best homes of the township is freely accorded them.

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

GEORGE W. SMITH.

Although George W. Smith has already passed the Psalmist’s allotted span of three score years and ten, he is yet an active factor in the business life of the community in which he resides, owning and operating a fine farm in Wayne township. For many years before he took up agricultural pursuits, he was closely identified with the industrial interests of his native county and became recognized as an enterprising, progressive and successful business man.

Born in Mad River township, Montgomery county, on the 3d of October, 1836, he is a son of Edward and Mary (Lanpher) Smith. His father, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1803, was there reared and educated. He came to the United States in 1832, making his way direct to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he began working at fifty cents per day. He was truly a self-made man, working his way upward from that humble position until, at the time of his death, he was the owner of an enormous business. His success "was honorably won for he based his operations upon the principle that honesty is the best policy, and never was he known to break a contract, even if by so doing he could make double the amount of money. His wife was born in Ohio, near Chillicothe in 1813 and was the daughter of a minister who also followed the occupation of farming. She married Edward Smith in 1834 and passed away in 1888, while her husband’s demise occurred in 1878. They were laid to rest in Woodland cemetery. In their family were eleven children, namely: Thomas, born November 1, 1834; George

W., of this review; Charlotte, deceased, who was born in 1838; Mary J., also deceased, who was born in 1842; James, who contracted heart disease while serving in the Civil war as a member of Company C, First Ohio Infantry and died in 1865, shortly after returning home; William H., who passed away in infancy; William H., II, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Charles and Charles II, both of whom passed away in infancy; Edward; and Emma. Of this family Edward, Emma, Thomas and George still survive.

George W. Smith attended the common schools of his native county in the acquirement of his early education and later supplemented this by a course of study in Dayton and Urbana. After leaving school, he became identified with his father in the distillery business and later, for about three years, was connected with the oil and flour business at Tippecanoe City. Returning to Montgomery county, he was again associated with his father in the distillery, which relationship continued until his father’s retirement from active life several years prior to his death, when George W. Smith conducted the business in connection with his brother Edward for a number of years. Throughout his connection with the distillery business George W. Smith displayed keen business ability, basing his operations upon the policy which his father had instituted before him. As the years passed, he became very successful, his industry and enterprise returning a handsome competence, and he at length decided to withdraw from the strenuous duties of business life. His parents deeded him a farm near Xenia, 1871, in Wayne township, consisting of two hundred and two and seventy-seven hundredths acres of fine land, and upon this place, which he rents to a tenant, he has since continued to reside. He makes a specialty of raising corn and this season he will have one hundred and twenty-five or one hundred and thirty acres of that grain. Exercising the same good management and business ability as characterized his connection with industrial interests, his farm is operated along strictly up-to-date and modern methods and it is a paving and highly profitable proposition.

On the loth of November, 1864, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ann Catharine Harbine, a daughter of John and Hettie (Herr) Harbine, her birth occurring in June, 1840. Her father was a well known distiller of Green county, Ohio, and was a very wealthy and influential man in the community in which he resided. He and his wife are both now deceased, their remains being interred in the cemetery at Xenia, Ohio. The home of Mr. and Mrs.

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

JOHN H. SMITH.

John H. Smith, well and favorably known among those whose farms cluster about Miamisburg, Ohio, owns two tracts of land, amounting to one hundred and eighty-five acres upon the Centerville pike. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, July 20, 1833, and is the son of Fred and Elizabeth (Slough) Smith. The father came to this country from Germany, and was the first of his family to locate in the United States. He followed the trade of stone-mason and lime-burner as his life work, and died in 1905 at the advanced age of ninety-two years. The mother of our subject had passed away in 1880. In their family were seven children, namely: John H., of this review; Joseph, a resident of Montello, Pennsylvania; Levi, of Miamisburg, Ohio; Mary, the deceased wife of Frank Eckenroad, of Garglersville, Pennsylvania; Sarah, the deceased wife of Adam Eckenroad, of Wernersville, Pennsylvania; Eliza, the wife of Hiram Hultry, of Garglersville; and Thomas, a resident of Montello, Pennsylvania.

John H. Smith was a young man when he came to Ohio and settled in this county. He took up farming almost immediately and has since pursued that line of work, though he has recently laid aside the heavier duties of the farm and lives retired. In his young manhood he had learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed for a time, but later farming demanded all of his attention. In the latter work he was more than ordinarily successful and ever evinced a commendable interest in the affairs of the community in which he lived and which he served as township trustee for the period of ten years.

Mr. Smith was married in 1860 to Miss Eliza A. Gottschall, who is the daughter of Joseph and Charlotte Gottschall, the former being one of the county’s well-to-do farmers. He died on the 22nd of May, 1887, and his wife departed this life October 25, 1900. Their family consisted of four children: John, deceased, who made his home in Miamisburg; Jacob, of Salina, Kansas; Eliza A., the wife of our subject; and Mollie, the deceased wife of Cyrus Urmey. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Joseph, the eldest son, married Miss Mollie

Howard, who bore him three children, Raymond, Esther and Glenna. John married Miss Hortense Menner and is the father of a son, Mark. Irvin married Miss Flora Brown, by whom he has had two children, Mary and Leonard. Lottie is the wife of James Greth and the mother of two daughters, Ellen and Maud, and a son, Lee. Maud, the fifth of this family, married Earl Leis and is the mother of four children, Mabel, Florence, Ambert and Arthur. Maggie became the wife of Frank Lucas and has three children, Josie, Lester and Paul. Jacob married Miss Ella Stine, who bore him two sons, John and Elmer. Howard married Lavina Weidner and has a son, Loran. Flora is the wife of Frank Urschel. Della, the youngest, is married to Herbert Loy.

Mr. Smith gives his religious allegiance to the Reformed church, and the many years of his life have been marked by regular attendance at its services and by adherence to its doctrines. During the decade that he was trustee of the township his constituents had no occasion to complain of the way he performed the duties that devolved upon him. In short he is a man who by hard and persistent work has won a competence and also a position of confidence among fellow citizens.

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

JOHN G. SMITH.

Since the April election in 1902 John G. Smith has filled the office of clerk of Harrison township. He also farms on a tract of fifty-eight acres of fine land about three miles north of Dayton, on the Needmore road, and is a man prominent in local affairs, as were members of his family for several generations back. On his father’s side he is descended from the Penningtons, an old English family, one of whom, Mr. Smith’s great-grandfather, was a warrant officer in King George’s navy during the Revolutionary war. At Philadelphia this gentleman left his ship, married, came west, and settled in Ohio. His daughter, Hannah Pennington, became the wife of Abner Smith, our subject’s grandfather, wffio came from Virginia and was one of the early settlers in Clinton county, Ohio. From there his son James, John G. Smith’s father, came to this county, where he is still living. During the years of his activity he was a man of means and very prominent among his fellow citizens, but now he has put aside the weightier cares of life and lives in retirement.

John G. Smith was born on the old Kennedy farm, on which he worked from early boyhood, even during the years he sought for the rudiments of learning in the old Ebenezer school. On the 20th of October, 1890, he was married to Miss Rockie Hixson, daughter of Aquilla and Naoma (Lodge) Hixson. Mr. Hixson is now enjoying the life of a retired farmer, and the honors that are bestowed upon a man who was of that gallant army that fought for the preservation of the Union. Lie enlisted shortly after the beginning of the war in the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, and served in the Army of the Potomac, remaining in the service until the hostilities ceased.

Mr. Smith’s religious allegiance is given to the Methodist Episcopal church of Ebenezer. With the Vandalia Lodge, I. O. O. E., he enjoys many a social gathering, for he is a popular man, highly esteemed among those who know him best. His reputation as a man of commendable public spirit has been strengthened during the seven years he has been the incumbent of the clerk’s office, and it is sincerely hoped that he will not soon be released from his duties.

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

Simon Smith richly deserves the proud American title of a self-made man for, starting out in life for himself at a very early age, he has since worked his way steadily upward until today he ranks among the progressive and influential farmers of Butler township. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, on the 20th of March, 1844, and is a son of Simon and Mary (Roderdaugh) Smith. On account of the early death of his parents he knows but little concerning the family history. The father passed away in Greensburg, where his remains were laid to rest, while the mother’s demise occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1850, her remains being interred in a cemetery of that city.

When but a little lad of four or five years Simon Smith accompanied his aunt on her removal to Dayton, Ohio, and in the common schools of that city he acquired his education. When little more than a child, he lost both of his parents and he was thus early thrown upon his own responsibility. After setting aside his textbooks he at once took up the occupation of farming and has since been actively engaged in this connection. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-three acres of fine farm land in Butler township, Montgomery county, to the improvement and cultivation of which he is directing his energies. He early learned that there is no excellence without labor, no royal road to wealth, and he toiled early and late to overcome the obstacles and difficulties that best his path, ere he attained the gratifying degree of prosperity which he now enjoys. His indefatigable energy, his undaunted enterprise and his untiring perseverance have been the salient elements in his present success.

In 1869 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Alice Crosby, a daughter of James and Lydia Ann (Baner) Crosby, natives of Philadelphia and Cape May, New Jersey, respectively. Her father, who was born in 1812, came to Ohio at the age of eighteen, settling in Warren county, and he was engaged in general farming until his demise, which occurred in September, 1884, in Montgomery county. His wife, whose birth occurred in 1817, passed away in June, 1886, her remains being interred in Greencastle cemetery, where her husband was also buried. She was an orthodox Quaker and an earnest, conscientious Christian woman.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simon Smith were born ten children, namely: Mattie, born July 2, 1870; Albert, born July 7, 1871; Lottie A., born June 13, 1872; Etta May, born January 7, 1874; Oella, born February 13, 1875; Rollo J., born April 3, 1876; Wilmer S., born March 19, 1880; Harry C., born August 17, 1881; Walter B., born March 1, 1885; and Warren B., born June 1, 1892. Of this number three have now passed away, namely: Lottie, whose death occurred August 25, 1872; Etta, who died July 12, 1874; and Oella, who passed away on the 12th of July, 1875 here. They are all buried in the cemetery at Greencastle. The eldest daughter Mattie, is now the wife of F. E. Dixon and makes her home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They have two children, Marguerite and Marie. Albert married Elizabeth Norton and resides in Jackson, Mississippi. They have five children, Chester, Roy, Helen, Alice and Mary. Rollo J. wedded Eva Keeton and with their three children, Bessie, Manis and Wilber, resides at Knobel, Arkansas. Wilmer and Warren are both living at home. Harry, who married Floy Holbert, by whom he has one child, Lester, resides on the home farm, and Walter B., who also lives at home, is a stenographer for the Barney Smith Car Company.

During the dark days of the Civil war, Mr. Smith was a loyal defender of the Union, serving from October, 1861, until July, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. In politics he votes with the democratic party and is public spirited in his citizenship. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of honest labor. Starting out in life without any favoring circumstances, through the exercises of his dominant powers— ambition, energy and industry — he has worked his way up and is now classed among the prosperous and influential farmers of Butler township.

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

SAMUEL SMITH, farmer; P. 0., Kinsey Station; was born in Lebanon Co., Pa., Dec. 17, 1810. His father, Christian, was a native 'of the same county, and spent his early life as miller. After his marriage with Barbara Gingerrick, he engaged in farming, which he has continued in since. He was the father of eight children, of whom sis survive, viz: Christina, Catherine, Henry, Chiistian, Abraham and Samuel, the subject of this biography. Samuel’s educational advantages were limited. He worked on the neighboring farms until he was 18 years of age, when he apprenticed himself to a shoemaker to learn that occupation, and served three years, when he returned to his farm and remained twTo years. In 1833 he; started for Ohio-and located in Wooster, engaging at his trade, serving Jonathan Montgomery. After remaining in Wooster a few months, he came to Dayton, and located in Miami City, and commenced business for himself. In 1837 he was united in marriage with Catharine Famey. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living, viz: Emaline, Amanda, Adaline, Mary, Mahala, Eliza, Joseph and Charles, By economy and industry Mr. Smith pur-, chased 80 acres of land in Mercer County, covered with timber. He moved from Miami City to Randolph Township, and purchased five acres in what was called at that time the Warner settlement, where he built up an excellent trade, and remained eight years, when he disposed of his property at an advance and moved to Indiana and settled in Wayne County, on 43 acres of land that he had previously purchased. He run the farm in connection with his trade five years, disposed of it, and returned to Montgomery Co., and purchased the farm where he now resides, containing 43 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have both been members of the church since 1844.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

AMUEL B. SMITH, president of the city council of Dayton, was born in Troy, Ohio, September 4, 1836, and is a son of Thomas J. S. and Jane (Bacon) Smith, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. His maternal grandfather, Henry Bacon, was one of the early settlers of Ohio, was a leading lawyer, and a man of great prominence in public affairs. Thomas J. S. Smith was for many years an eminent lawyer of Dayton, and died in 1868. He removed to Dayton from Troy when his son, Samuel B., was quite young.

The greater part of the life of Samuel B. Smith has been spent in Dayton. He read law in the office of his father, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar. At the beginning of the late war he entered the Federal service as first lieutenant of the Eleventh regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and later was promoted captain, and finally major, of the Ninety third Ohio, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. After being mustered out of service Mr. Smith returned to Dayton, and in 1866 entered regularly upon the practice of the law, in which he continued until he was appointed assistant adjutant-general of Ohio on January 12, 1880, a position he held until March 2, 1881, when he was promoted adjutant-general, and as such served until January, 1884. After retiring from the adjutant-general’s office, Gen. Smith removed to Miami county, and there spent a number of years engaged in the stone-quarry business, returning to Dayton in 1892. For many years Gen. Smith was interested in the construction and extension of railroads. He was at different periods president and vice-president of the Dayton, Covington & Toledo Railroad company. A number of years ago he represented his ward in the Dayton city council, and in the spring of 1895 he was again elected to that body, and in the following year he was chosen president of the same. Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the G. A. R. and of the Loyal Legion, being a charter member of the Ohio commandery of the latter. On June 13, 1871, he was married to Eliza J. Stoddard, only daughter of the late Henry Stoddard, of Dayton. To this union two sons have been born — J. McLain Smith and Fowler Stoddard Smith.

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

WELLINGTON C. SMITH.

Wellington C. Smith, attorney-at-law, practicing as a member of the firm of Van Deman, Burkhart & Smith at Dayton, was born in Lytle, Warren county, Ohio, July 15, 1874, and was one of the family of five children, three sons and two daughters, whose parents were Mr. and Mrs. Joel E. Smith. The father was born in Burlington, New Jersey, in 1833, and died July 11, 1907, in Warren county, Ohio, at the old home which he had so long occupied. He made a splendid record by his service as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming one of the boys in blue of Company B, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for one year. He participated in the battle of Five Forks and in other engagements and joined General Sherman at Goldsboro, North Carolina, after which he continued northward with the Union troops to Washington, D. C., where he participated in the grand review which was the closing pageant of the war. At that time thousands of people lined the streets of the capital city and cheered the returning soldiers while across Pennsylvania avenue swung a banner bearing the words, “The only debt which our country cannot pay is the debt which she owes to her soldiers.”

Wellington C. Smith spent his youthful days in his native town to the age of fifteen years when the family removed to Dayton. In 1891, however, his parents returned to their old home in Warren county. Mr. Smith of this review supplemented his early education by a high school course in Waynesville, Ohio, and then took his initial step in the business world as an employe of the Big Four Railroad Company, being employed by that line in the Union Depot at Dayton as telegraph operator from 1895 until 1898. Subsequently he entered a college preparatory school at Dayton, where he pursued his studies for a year that he might thus qualify for a more advanced course. In the meantime he had determined to make the practice of law his life work and to this end entered the law department of the Ohio State University, where he devoted three years to study. He was then admitted to the bar June 13, 1901, and in 1902 entered the employ of the National Cash Register Company in the legal department, where he continued for three years. In 1905 he became assistant in the law office of Van Deman, Burkhart & Shea and a year later succeeded Mr. Shea as the third partner in the firm. He is thus now engaged in the practice of law, and, being devotedly attached to his profession, systematic and methodical in habit and conscientious in the discharge of every duty he is making a creditable record and steady progress as a member of the Dayton bar.

On the 31st of December, 1902, Mr. Smith was married in Springfield, Ohio, to Miss Gertrude Stephenson and they have one son, Everett Hale Smith. Mr. Smith gives his political allegiance to the republican party and as every true American citizen should do keeps well informed on the questions and. issues of the day. Socially he is connected with the Tribe of Ben Hur and he belongs to the Reformed church. As the years have gone by and his acquaintance has grown the circle of his friends has also increased and substantial qualities of manhood, of citizenship and of legal ability promise well for his continued advancement in public regard and in his chosen field of labor.

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

CLARK Y. SMITH.

Clark Y. Smith, successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits in Madison township, is the owner of the old Kerns farm, comprising sixty-five acres of rich and productive land and situated on the north side of the Jalopa road, about two and a half miles south of Trotwood. Lie was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the lath of April, 1863, a son of Solomon and Emily (Yount) Smith. When a young man the father made his way from Pennsylvania to Miami county, Ohio, where he became a very prominent and prosperous agriculturist. Their family numbered twelve children.

During his school days. Clark Y. Smith assisted his father in the work of the fields, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His early training and experience proved of value to him when he started out in business life on his own account and he has met with a well merited and highly gratifying measure of success in his farming operations, being now the owner of a fine tract of land of sixty-five acres in Madison township. The fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestow upon them and he is widely recognized as a most enterprising and progressive citizen.

On the 19th of November, 1883, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ella Etter, a daughter of George and Mary (Hinebach) Etter. Her father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, became one of the pioneer settlers of Miami county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been horn nine children, namely: Emma, deceased; Minnie, the wife of Ira Juster, by whom she has a son, Floyd; Alma, who is the wife of Martin Burnside and has four children, Mary, Florence, Herbert and Alberta; Earl; Inez; Charles; Nellie; Ola; and Carl. The different members of the family belong to the conservative branch of the Dunkard church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside.

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