In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1818, Lake Township
From History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881)
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 History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.