Clinton D. Smith

As printed in 1882

CLINTON D. SMITH, Winchester, Ind., was born at Williamsburg, Clerm.itit Co., Ohio, February 20, 1828; he was the son of Stephen and Sarah (Kain).Smith, who were of German descent, and came to Ohio from New Jersey. Mr. Smith, Sr., was a rail-wright by trade, but early placed his son, Clinton 1) to learn the printing business in the office of the county paper published at Batavia. Voung Smith went to Iowa, In 1847, and engaged in publishing the Ottumwa Ciiurier for eighteen months, but on account of poor health was obliged todispose of it, after which he returned to Ohio, and was engaged on the Herald of Freedom n.i Wilmington for two years, and on the tnilfprmlenl at Greenfield for two years. Mr. Smith came to Indiana in 1864, and engaged to publish the Connersville Telegraph for one year, during which time he was married to Miss Eliza Irvin, daughter of Robert Irvin, late of Randolph County, October 11, 1855, who has in all respects been to him a worthy companion, and is a lady of excellent social standing. They are the parents of four children, three of whom are living. At the beginning of 1850, Mr. Smith removed to Winchester, and purchased the Journal, and began the publieution of the first Republican paper in Eastern Indiana; he continued its proprietor for four years, after which he purchased the Tmtn at Muncie, Ind., in which publication he was engaged nt the breaking-out of the rebellion, when lie sold out.and enlisted in the Nineteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, where he served one year,- when he returned and aided in recruiting the Kighly-fourth Regiment, enlisting as a private in Company E; he shared in its toilsome and dangerous campaigns, and was promoted to First lieutenant of Company C for good conduct; he was severely wounded at Chickamauga, his left arm being shattered, from the elTects of which he remains an invalid. He was honorably discharged, having faithfully served his country for three years. Since his return, he has been engaged in Iheprinting business as foreman of the Herald, and recently in the same capacity with the Journal. Mr. Smith is not a member of any church, but is liberal in his views on theological questions; he has led a busy life, and is deserving the esteem in which he is held by his friends and neighbors.

WASHINGTON B.SNEDEKEi: was born in 1825 in Tuscarawas County, Oliio; Ills father,.Tacob Sncdeker, was born in Virginia about the year 1781), and was ot Scotch descent. Four brother.5 by the name of Sncdeker emigrated frotii Scotland to Long Island at an early.lay, and from them have descended all who bear that name in America..Jacob Sncdeker removed to Knox County Ohio, locating between Mount Vernon and Londouville, where he died in 1834. His widow married again, and removed to Mercer County, Ohio, in 1837. Washington, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools, and ncfMircd a good English education; he became an apprentice at the carpenter's trade when a young man, end acquired great proficiency as a mechanic. In 1841, he returned to Knox County, Ohio, where he was engaged at his trade fur four years. In 1845, ho returned to Mercer County, and in 1846 was married to Charlotte Hossler, who died in 1852. By this union they were the parcnlv of llncc children. In 1857, he married.lane Maddock, one child being thi.- fruit of this second tion. Until 1854, he w;is engaged at his trade, but in that year embarked in the daguerreotype business, leading a migratory life, traveling from town to town in his car, and taking pictures in all towns of any consequence in Northeastern Indiana, and Van Wort, Mercer and Darke Counties, Ohio; he located at Winchester, Ind., in 180:3, and from that date until 1H70 he owned and operated a planing mill at this place, and from 1870 to 1880 he was the proprietor of a restaurant. He possesses rare genius as a mechanic, and has designed and invented several articles of practical value, nuinng them being the churn and a chair. In early life, he spent a great deal of lime and money in studying and perfecting projects, and still delights in developing new methods of convenience and utility. By a life of industry and prudent management, ho has aoouuiulated a comfortable fortune, and by his honorable and upright nature has gained the esteem of his fellow-men. He is the proprietor of a brick block on Main street, containing four good business rooms on the ground floor, while the second story contains a commodious exhibilinn room. capable of seating 000 people. The hall is a model of convenience and safely, possessing ready means of access and egress, and thoroughness of

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

Winchester, in which he has ever since been successfully engaged. In 1864, while engaged in contracting and carpenter work, Mr. Stakebake enlisted as a private soldier in Company F. of the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio Regiment, and served in the Virginia campaigns until the spring of 1805, when he was iionorably discharged. As a business man and manufacturer, he has been very successful, and as a citizen and neighbor ho is highly esteemed by all who know him. In politics, he has always been identified with the Republican party, and although never an aspirant for office, he has been called upon, at various times, to fill local positions of honor and trust. In 1870, he was elected a member of the School Board of the town of Winchester, and was appointed Treasurer of the Board, in which capacity he still continues to act. He is an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and stands high in the order. He is an upright, honorable man, and deserves and enjoys the respect of his fellow-citizens. His wedded life has been blessed by five children, named, respectively, Marion A., Frank E., Irma V. and Oak. One died in infancy.

As printed in History of Randolph County, Indiana with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers : to which are appended maps of its several townships (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.