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 1869, Holmes township
From History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1912)
HORACE J. SMITH, a leading citizen of Lykens township, Crawford county, O., who owns 160 acres of well situated land, which he devotes to general agriculture, was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, July 3, 1869, and is a son of John F. and Malinda (Shupp) Smith.
John F. Smith and wife were born in Crawford county, members of old families of this section, and spent their lives here into advanced years. Mr. Smith still resides in Holmes township but his wife died in 1887. They had the following children born to them: Lulu, who is the wife of W. E. Pf other; Laura, who is the wife of Wesley Lust; Horace J.; Edith and Sylvanus, both of whom are deceased; Leary, who is the wife of George Lecrone; Lottie, who is the wife of Edward Pfeifer; Celesta, who is the wife of Harry Chester; and Lena, who is deceased.
Horace J. Smith attended the public schools and remained at home giving his father assistance on the farm until he was 22 years of age, after which, for 14 years, he rented land from his father. In 1908 he purchased his present farm from his father and here successfully engaged in farming and raising some excellent stock, not much more, however, that he needs for himself. His surroundings show thrift and good management, an interest in public affairs, schools and good roads and the presence of reading matter, go far to prove the opening statement, that Mr. Smith is a leading citizen in his community. He is a member of the Grange at Brokensword, is serving as school director, and for three continuous terms was a trustee of the township.
In 1 89 1, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Ida C. Fralick, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Hass) Fralick, one of the old families of the county. Mrs. Smith died Feb. 29, 1912. The other members of her parents' family were: Emma, wife of William Lahman; Benjamin; Elizabeth, wife of J. Shawk; and Edward and Harrison. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith four children were born, namely: Alfred, Lula, Mabel and Alton. In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church at Brokensword.
As printed in History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1912). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1912. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.