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 1844
From History of Coshocton County, Ohio: its past and present, 1740-1881. Containing a comprehensive history of Ohio; a complete history of Coshocton County ... a history of its soldiers in the late war ... (1881)
SMITH CHRISTIAN, Adams township; tinner; postoffice, Bakersville; born near Berne, in Switzerland, May 3, 1844; son of Peter and Mary (Cower) Smith. He came to America with his parents when he was but four years of age, landing in New York after a voyage of eight weeks. From there he went to Stark county, Ohio, where he remained about fourteen years. He enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Fourth O. V. I., under Captain Sterl, and served three years. After coming home he worked at his trade, which he had learned with his father before the war. He spent several years in Missouri, and, in 1872, came to Bakersville, where he established himself in business. He was married in May, 1874, to Miss Mary Shannon, daughter of Isaac Shannon, and granddaughter of William Shannon. They have one child, Peter, born May 3, 1875.
As printed in History of Coshocton County, Ohio: its past and present, 1740-1881. Containing a comprehensive history of Ohio; a complete history of Coshocton County ... a history of its soldiers in the late war ... (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.