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 1847
From History of Crawford County and Ohio (1881)
CORNELIUS SMITH, carpenter. Broken Sword; is the eldest child born to Frederick and Lucy Ann (Shupp) Smith, and was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, Dec. 25, 1847. He received a good common-school education, much of it being secm-ed by his own exertions when not at school, through his habits of study at odd hours. When 18 years old he commenced teaching, and followed it for several years with fair success, but relinquished it for the carpenter's trade, which is his present business, and his efforts have been crowned with like results. He was married April 3, 1870, Mary Catharine Ludy becoming his wife. She was born in this county March 17, 1850, and is a daughter of Michael and Catharine (Leimenstoll) Ludy, who came to this country from the Old World. They have two child-en — Joseph Clarence and Cora Ellen. Both he and wife are consistent members of the German Reformed Church. He has a pleasant property situated at Wingert's Corners, and is one of the culti'ed citizens of the place. He is a Democrat.
As printed in History of Crawford County and Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name Cornelius Smith: Howard H. Smith (b. 1869)
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.