The Smith Families of Summit County, Ohio

C. M. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Akron; was born in Lake Township, Stark Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1818, of a family of seven children born to James and Sarah (Houser) Smith. James was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 16, 1790; son of John, who was a native of New Jersey, and had born to him five sons and three daughters. James Smith married Sarah Houser, who was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 11, 1792. She was a daughter of Peter, who was a son of John Houser, a native of Germany; his wife was Mary Fisher, by whom he had thirteen children. Of those who grew up were Mary Catharine, Margaret, Amelia, Julia, Margaret, 2d, Peter, Tunis and William. The parents of our subject were married in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Stark Co. about the year 1813. The entered 160 acres in Lake Township; in 1823, he moved to Springfield, remaining there until his death, Nov. 15, 1858. To this couple were born Peter, now in Michigan; John, in Elkhart, Ind.; C. M., Catharine, now Mrs. M. Hagenbaugh, in Tallmadge; James, died at the age of 50, in this county; Housel, in Bath Township; Amelia, Mrs. Hiram Allen, in Nebraska. C. M. left home at 20, learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and worked at the same thirteen 3'ears. He was first married to Rebecca Monroe, who died one year afterward, leaving one child, since deceased. His second wife was Catharine Fulkerson, who died two 3'ears afterward, leaving one child, Sylvester. On Jan. 28, 1849, he married Grazella Ruckel, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 18, 1826; daughter of Peter and Mary (Hagenbaugh) Ruckel. Mr. Ruckel came to this country about 1832, and settled in Sharon Township, Medina Co. His wife died when Mrs. Smith was 1 year old. Mr. Smith moved to his farm April, 1858, bought 111 acres of unimproved land, and cleared it up; he is a self-made man. He has had four children, three living — Elizabeth, Mrs. Joseph M. Byerley; Allen J. and Sarah. Mr. Smith has the best of farm buildings, and is a successful farmer.

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

HOUSEL SMITH, Montrose. This gentleman was born in Springfield Township, Summit Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1824. He is the sou of James and Sarah (Housel) Smith, both of whom were natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., where they were married and resided until 1812, when they moved to Lake Township, Stark Co., Ohio. After about two years they moved into Springfield Township, it being then a part of Stark Co. They were the parents of seven children, viz., Peter, Catharine, John, Cyrenius, James, Housel and Amelia. Mr. Smith always followed farming and stock-growing. He was a successful business man, an exemplary member of the M. E. Church, and a useful member of society. He departed this life in 1857. His widow survives him and resides north of the city of Akron. Housel Smith received but a limited education, and, up to the time he was 18 years of age, worked for his father. He was then given his time, and began working his father's farm on the shares. After about eight years, he purchased 50 acres of land in Bath Township and began its improvement. In a few years he sold this farm and purchased 104 acres where he now lives. He has since added to this until he now owns 140 acres of good land, which he has nicely improved. He was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Moore March 6, 1851. This lady was born in Springfield Township, this county. May 6, 1830. From this union there are eight children, viz., Emanuel C, John N., James A., Robert H., Sarah L., Charles H., George E. and Margaret J. Mr. Smith is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the United Brethren Church. He began life as a poor boy. and is a self-made man in the fullest sense of the word.

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

JAMES ALBERT SMITH, who owns 104 acres of some of the best land in Bath Township, which is situated in School District No. 12, one-half mile north of the Smith or Medina road, has owned and resided on this property since 1896. He was born in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, March 22, 1856, and is a son of Housel and Susan (Moore) Smith.

When James Albert Smith was an infant, his father moved first to Bath Township, purchasing a farm of ninety-four acres, in its eastern part, on which the family lived for a short time and then went back to Springfield Township. James Albert was twelve years old when his father returned to Bath Township and settled on the farm he now owns, which he subsequently purchased from the other heirs. Both parents died on this farm, the mother surviving until April 17, 1907. They had eight children, two daughters and six sons, as follows: Emanuel C. and John Newton, both residing at Akron; James Albert of Bath Township; Robert, residing at Montrose; Sarah L., who married James Edgar; Charles Henry, residing at Peninsula; George, residing in Coshocton County; and Maggie L., who married Cyrus Fields, of Detroit, Michigan.

Until he was twenty-one years of age, James Albert Smith resided at home and then learned the stone-mason trade, at which he worked for seventeen years, during thirteen of this period, living at Copley. For the past eleven years he has engaged in general farming and is numbered with the successful men of this section.

On December 28, 1882, Mr. Smith was married to Elta Barber, who is a daughter of Solomon and Harriet (Wright) Bajber. Solomon Barber was born in Stark County, Ohio, and accompanied his father in boyhood to the farm in Bath Township, on which Newton Hackett lives. The mother of Mrs. Smith was born at Lima, New York, and in her widowhood, lives with Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Her parents were Richmond and Betsey (Egbert) Wright. They came to Akron when Mrs. Barber was a babe and became well-known residents. Mr. and Mrs. Barber were married at Independence, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and they had twelve children, eight of whom survive: William, residing at Minneapolis; Leonard, residing in Oregon; Sylvenes, deceased at the age of twenty-five years; Elta; Belmont, who is deceased; Belle, residing at Youngstown, is the wife of DeForest Richards; Theron, residing at Brown Valley, Minnesota; Minnie, deceased, married Peter Hanson; James, residing at Youngstown; Emily, deceased, married Louis Molton, residing at Warner, South Dakota; Thomas, residing at Rochester, Minnesota, and Paul, residing in South Dakota. The father of Mrs. Smith died August 29, 1901.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children: Pearl, who married Harry Robinson, has three children, Albert, Victor and Jessie; Bessie, who married Ervin Snyder, has one child, Celesta; and Ethel and Ruth.

Mr. Smith belongs to the beneficiary organization known as the Knights of the Protective Legion.

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

LOREN N. SMITH, Akron. Moses Smith was born at Stonington, Conn., Nov. 30, 1783, and died at Akron in his 83d year, Feb. 4, 1866. His wife, nee Miss Sarah Haley, was born Nov. 2, 1792, at Groton, Conn.; she was married to him on June 19, 1807, being only 15 years of age. They moved to Akron in 1826, and the following year he purchased a tract of land containing about 100 acres; hei'e he farmer and engaged at the cooper's trade, having erected a shop for the purpose. He was an excellent marksman, and, as game was plentiful, he had many opportunities to display his skill. He regarded his word and was very exact in dealing. He was a stanch Democrat. Six children were born to him, viz., Sarah, wife of Hii'am Hart, of Coventry; she died in 1862; Warren IL, who died in 1865, on the Atlantic Ocean, in which he was buried, while on his return from California, being in his 53d year; Lucy A., wife of the late D. A. Hine, now living in the Sixth Ward; Henry, who died in his 6th year; Harriet H., who was the wife of J. B. Curtis, and died at Kent, in 1853, in her 35th 3'ear; Caroline S., widow of the late Alvin Austin, now residing in Akron; William H., the only one of the family born in Ohio, died in Chili, South America, in 1872, in his 45th 3'ear; and Loren N., the subject of these lines who was born in Dalton, August 16, 1823, being 3 v'ears old when his family moved to Akron; he remembers seeing the first tree cut where his present residence stands. He went to school about six mouths per 3'ear until he was 17, learning the cooper's trade and to do farm work, from his father. In 1841, he became a clerk for the firm of James Sawyer & Co., remaining in their store until 1844, in the summer of which year he became proprietor of a confectionery' and grocery' store, it being the first one established on North Howard street. He was afterward engaged in the same business on the site of the First National Bank; from which place he removed to South Howard street until 1851, thence to Xenia, where, under the firm name of Austin & Smith, he did a large business in confectionery; thence he removed to Cincinnati, in 1858, where he met with great success, I'remaining until 1878. While there he was President of the Phoenix Insurance Company; and a member of ' the City Council for several years. On account of failing health he relinquished his business in Cincinnati and located in Akron, taking charge of the old homestead. Nov. 6, 1845, he married Miss Sarah J. Adams of Akron; she was born in Cavendish, Vt., and came to Akron in 1837. They have three sons and one daughter, viz., Henry N., of Cleveland; Fred. A., of Cincinnati; Frank E., of Cincinnati; and Ida M., wife of R. S. Kirtley, of Cincinnati.

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

WILLIAM H. SMITH, a leading contractor and lumber dealer of Clinton, and one of the substantial business men of the locality, was born at the home farm east of Clinton, Franklin Town.hip, Summit County,

Oliio, March 17, 1854, and is a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Croft) Smith.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

LeA-is Smith, father of William H., being the only son of hls parents, was compelled to spend his youth in hard labor on the home farms, a.nd his schooling was vei'y limited, la.sting in all about eighteen months. After his [marriage he lived for several years on a rented farm north of Canal Fulton. He then purcha.sed eighty-one acres of fine land cast of Clinton, Franklin Township, Summit County, where he resided for about thirty-three years. His next and last purchase was a farm of 160 acres west of Clinton, where his death occurred after twenty years, when he was in his eighty-first year. His wife, Elizabeth Croft Smith, was born in Stark County, Ohio, and died at the age of fifty-seven years. To them were born eight children: Adam, who lives on the home place in Franklin ToT\-n?hip; AYilliam H., whose name begins this sketch:.Tacob, who died in 1901; David C, of CHnton. Ohio, and four who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Lewis Smith was married to Loui.sa Fritz, who died in 1903; there were no children of this second moon.

William H. Smith secured his education in dLstiiot school No. 8, in his native township, and was reared on his father's farm, Avhere he remained until his marriage, in 1881. In that year he removed to Clinton, and for a number of years was engaged in the hardwood lumber business with his brother, David C. In 1889 they opened a planing-mill, which Mr. Smith has operated ever since, having purchased his brother's interests therein about six months after entering into business. He also engage in all kinds of contracting and building, and has various other business interests which include a directorship in the Clinton Savings Bank and the Franklin Industrial Company of Warwdck. Mr. Smith's fine home, a frame residence of fourteen rooms, was erected by him in 1901.

On November 31, 1881, Mr. Smith was married to Annie Mueller, who is a daughter of Peter and Mary Mueller, and three children have been born to this union, namely: Elsie, Jessie, who married Archie Dunmead, and resides at Barbcrton, Ohio, and Effie.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

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

DAVID C. SMITH, a representative citizen of Clinton, who does an extensive business in hardware, paints, implements, buggies and harness, was born on the home farm east of Clinton, Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, February 27, 1859, and is a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Croft) Smith.

John Adam Smith, the grandfather of David C, was a substantial citizen of his native town in Germany, where he was mayor and professor in the High School. He came to this country with his three children, of whom Lewis, the youngest, was three years old, and landed at Baltimore. Mr. Smith brought with him $7,000 in gold, which, in the few hours at night that were spent on the boat at the docks in Baltimore, was stolen from him, and he was compelled to begin all over again in the new country. Sustaining his great lo.ss with fortitude, this sturdy emigrant settled for a short time in Pennsylvania, whence they came to the vicinity of Canton, Ohio, and located for a time on a farm. A small place was then purchased near Canal Fulton, Ohio, where John Adam Smith spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring at the age of 89 years. In spite of his great pecuniary loss in early life, Mr. Smith had become a very successful man, and at the time of his death was rated one of the substantial men of his community. He had three children, Catherine, Elizabeth and Lewis.

Lewis Smith, father of David C, being the only son of his parents, was compelled to spend his youth in hard labor on the home farms, and his period of schooling was limited to about eighteen months. After his marriage he lived for several years on a rented farm north of Canal Fulton, and then purchased eighty-one acres of fine land east of Clinton, Franklin Township, Summit County, where he resided for about thirty-three years. He then bought a farm of 160 acres west of Clinton, where his death occurred twenty years later, when he was in his eighty-first year. Mr. Smith was married to Elizabeth Croft, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and who died at the age of fifty-seven. Of this union there are living five children: Adam, who lives on the home place in Franklin Township: William H., of Clinton, Ohio;.lacol), who died in 1901; David C. and Mary E. Ruck, residing at Canal Fulton. After the death of his first wife, Lewis Smith was married to Louisa Fritz, who died in 1903, there being no children of the second union.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

On October 11, 1883, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Mary E. Hul)er, who is a daughter of Phillip Huber, and tn this union there have been born eight children, namely: Dora, who married C. AV. McLaughlin, assistant cashier of the Fulton Bank; Clarence D., Thurman T., Carrie, Ruth, Lewis, Miriam and Amelia.

Mr. Smith is a Republican in his political views, but he takes only a good citizen's interest in public matters. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. With his family lie belongs to the Lutheran Church, in which he is deacon.

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

ALONZO SMITH, a prominent farmer and representative citizen of Sunuiiit County, Ohio, who is engaged in operating an excellent farm of 121 acres in Franklin Township, was born December 26, 1846, north of Middlebranch, Stark County, Ohio, and is a son of George E. and Sarah (Crist) Smith.

George E. Smith was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and when a boy of twelve years came to Ohio with his parents, settling about seven miles north of Canton. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and in his youth learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for some years, conducting a tannery north of Middlebranch, Stark County. In 1859 he purchased a farm near Canton, where the rest of his life was spent, his death occurring in his eightieth year. Mr. Smith married Sarah Crist, who died at the homestead at the age of eighty-seven years. Owing to a fire accident when a child he lost the fore part of both feet, which much interfered with his ability to walk. At his death Mr. Smith owned 1,132 acres of choice land in Stark and Summit Counties, as follows: Eighty acres in Canton Town.ship near Fulton; ninety acres in Plain; 268 in Lake; 160 in Nenieshellen, and 190 in Perry Township, south of Massillon, and in Summit County he owned 344 acres. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Sarah Ann, who was the wife of Israel Bixler; Susan, who was the wife of Christ Wingerd; Christian, who went West and has never been heard from; -Andrew H., who was a soldier in an Ohio regiment during the Civil War; Benjamin H., who was also a soldier during the Civil War, and now resides at Canton; Joel, who lives in Stark County; Alonzo; and Philo, of Canton,

Alonzo Smith was reared on the home farm, and for one year worked at the plastering business in Canton, In 1872 he purchased his present farm from John Genine, and here he has continued to reside. Mr. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is treasurer. He is agent for the Norton Mutual Fire Association for Franklin Township. In December, 1867, Mr. Smith was married to Harriet H. Longabaugh, and to them were born five children: Phidello, who married Maude Mefi; Rahama, who married Dr. Harper; John, who conducts a general store; Orlando; and Sadie, who married Bert Pni'dy.

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

SIMON C. SMITH, druggist, Akron; was born in AVarren Co.. Penn., May 25, 1850; he attended the public schools of Warren until he was 1 5, when he clerked in the post office under his father for five years; in 1868, he clerked for his father in a shoe store, and, the following year, became his partner, continuing as such until January, 1877, when he became a partner with his brother, Joseph S., at Wilkesbarre, Penn., in a drug store, remaining a year, when they sold out, and, under the firm name of Smith Bros., purchased their present drug store at 193 South Howard street; the business rooms are 80x22, with elegant modern appointments. He was married at Indianapolis September, 1873, to Miss Mary E. Cale, of that place; they have one son and one daughter.

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

JOSEPH S. SMITH, druggist, Akron; son of Christian Smith, was born in Warren, Warren Co., Penn., Dec. 4, 1855; at 14, he entered a drug store in Warren, where he remained four and a half years as clerk, after which he entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, from which he graduated in the spring of 1877, being engaged as clerk in a Philadelphia house at the same time. In the fall of 1877, he and his brother bought a drug store at Wilkesbarre, Penn., continuing until 1878, when they sold out and bought the present store in September, 1878, of Sisler & Sorrick, located the first door north of the post office; they have a full stock of pure drugs, chemicals and sundries; they have a laboratory for the manufacture of fluid and solid extracts, gelatine-coated pills, elixir and pharmaceutical preparations in general; they are doing a prosperous wholesale and retail business.

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

JOHN SMITH, a representative citizen and substantial resident of Tallmadge Township, owns two farms of sixty-five acres each, one of which is situated within the city limits of Akron. Mr. Smith was born about seventy-two years ago, in County Antrim, Ireland, and was fifteen years of age when his parents came to America. They were named Robert and Mary (McCracken) Smith, children respectively of Robert Smith and Patrick Mc- Cracken.

In England, prior to his losses, which were caused by the murrain in his cattle, the father of John Smith was a successful raiser and dealer in stock. He was born in the north of Ireland, where he owned three farms at one time. After his losses he decided to come to America. He embarked on one of the frail old sailing ships, which required six weeks and three days to make the voyage which the latest ocean marvel has accomplished in about four days, but it landed the family safely on

American soil and they came immediately to *Vkron. They lived first on Broad Street, removing later to Rubber Street. John and his brother went to work in the woolen mills of Rouse & Goodrich, where they remained for a number of years. In the meanwhile the father bought a farm of 160 acres from Roswell Kent, a part of which he sold for city lots.

The large family of Robert and Mary Smith included nine sons and three daughters. Joseph died in 1861. Robert died in the same year. Hugh married and moved to Missouri, where he died. William also died in Missouri. Samuel lived to within ten years ago. James, who lived on the homestead, died in the fall of 1906. Patrick married and is pro.spring in Arizona. John, as noted above, lives in Tallmadge. Eliza married John N. Hankey and died at Cleveland. Mary is the widow of John Honodle, who died in 1891. Margaret never married.

John Smith has spent a large part of his active life at work in woolen mills, his last labor in this line having been in mills at Cleveland. He resides with his two sisters on the farm which the family has owned for the past fifty years. Every acre of it is valuable. The Smith family belong to the Presbyterian Church, in which they were reared by their Christian parents. Politically, Mr. Smith is a stanch Republican and he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.

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

CHARLES J. SMITH, Professor in Western Reserve College, Hudson, was born in Clarendon, Ohio, Oct. 16, 1844. He is the second son born to Josiah and jMartha (Haskell) Smith, who were natives of Connecticut, but came to Ohio with their respective families in the early- settlement of the State, and located in Geauga County. At from 16 to 19 years of age, Prof Smith began teaching a district school in the winter months, during the summer season his time being occupied on his father's farm. He then accepted a position as teacher in the Bloomfield Academy, where he remained one and a half years. He enter'ed the Western Reserve College in 1866, and graduated therefrom in 1870, in the fall of the same year, being appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy. He married Miss Julia E. King Aug. 23, 1871. Their children are as follows: Esther K., Charles K. and Charlotte P. Mrs. Smith was born in Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, Aug. 20. 1845. She was the daughter of Lester King, who was the son of Judge King, of Warren.

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

FRED E. SMITH, president of the South Akron Banking Company, has been a resident of Akron for the past thirty years, and is prominently identified with many of her leading interests. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, September 4, 1857, came to Akron in 1877, and in point of service is the oldest banker still active in the business in this city.

Mr. Smith was reared in Portage County through boyhood and attended the common schools and later the Akron schools and Hiram College. When eighteen years of age he started out on the road as salesman and collector for a Cleveland firm, traveling for three years over Ohio and the northea.stern States. He then came to Akron, where he was connected with a millinery store for three months, and then was engaged for three years in a real estate and insurance business with John H. Alible. Since then Mr. Smith has been continuously connected with the banking business. For thirteen years he was vice president and cashier of the Second National Bank. The South Akron Bank was organized in May, 1906, and Mr. Smith has been its president since. The banking institutions of Akron have an established reputation tbrnughont the Stale, and the South Akron

Bank is no exception, Mr. Smith's name lending it assurance of stability and fidelity. On account of the confidence felt by his fellow citizens, he is frequently called upon to act as receiver, and satisfactorily performed the duties of this position for the Aultman-Miller and other companies.

In 1882, Mr. Smith was married to Addie E. Tuttle, who is a daughter of Seth Tuttle, who, for forty years was identified with the Taplen Rice Stove and Furnace Company. Ir. and Mrs. Smith have three children, viz: Jessie M., who is the wife of H. M. Eaton, residing at Akron, and Howard R. and Gertrude M., who are students in the Akron High School.

Mr. Smith belongs to numerous fraternal, benevolent and business organizations, and has been frequently elected treasurer of the same. He takes a patriot's interest in public affairs and has often been honored by election to positions of trust and responsibility. He has served both as city treasurer and a' a member of the board of Education, also as county treasurer. Personally, he is a man held in very high esteem. His public spirit has helped the city and his benevolence has frequently prompted him to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than himself.

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

DANIEL SMITH (deceased); was born in Pennsylvania April 10, 1811, and came here with his father's family during the construction of the canal. He married Eliza Diehl March 15, 1835; she was also a native of Pennsylvania, and came here with her parents about a year previous to her late husband, her father, Jacob Diehl, settled at Canton, Stark Co., when they came from Pennsylvania, then to Franklin Township. Soon after Mr. Smith was married, they repaired to the farm, where his widow and daughter now live, and, on June 7, 1861, he was called away, leaving a widow and large family to mourn his loss. They were parents of ten children, viz., Judson, Rachel, Amanda, Mary, Ransom, Louisa, x\ngeline, Carolina, Josephus and Ida; the last named resides with her aged mother. When their eldest boy, Judson, was about 4 years old, he met with a sad and fatal accident; while he, with one of his sisters, were endeavoring to cross the mill-race on unsafe footing, he fell in, and, although his father was at work near by, the boy was drowned before it was possible to rescue him. In 1834, Mr. Smith and his father built a sawmill, which Daniel owned and operated many years; the mill property he had sold, but owing to non-payment by the purchaser, he (Mr. Smith) had to take it back, and the season preceding his death he had refitted the mill. Since his death, Mrs. Smith has managed the affairs of her business with more than ordinary executive ability, and reared her family, and yet lives to see them enjoy their own homes.

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