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 1867
From History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906)
HAMES I. SMITH, secretary and treasurer of the Ohio Cereal Company, vice-president of the Esmeralda Canning Company, and a director in the Third National Bank, is one of the prominent men and leading capitalists of Circleville. He was born in this city in 1867 and is a son of Edward Smith. With the exception of four years spent at the University of Notre Dame, he has resided continuously in Circleville.
In 1889 Mr. Smith became a member of the firm of J. S. Smith & Brothers, millers and dealers in grain, flour and feed. This firm was succeeded by the Smith Mill Company, which was organized in 1893, and in which our subject held an interest. In 1900 the Ohio Cereal Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $260,000, with Joseph
S. Smith as president; Edward E. Smith, vice-president, and James I. Smith as secretary and treasurer. This company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Maine and was authorized to do business in the State of Ohio. This company took over the interests of the Smith Mill Company and Crites Brothers & Company. They manufacture flour, com meal and all kinds of feed.
Mr. Smith and his two brothers form the Ideal Stock Food Company, which manufactures the "Ideal” stock and poultry condition powders and various veterinary remedies.
Mr. Smith is also vice-president of the Esmeralda Canning Company, a very successful business enterprise, an incorporated concern, with R. G. McCoy as president; James I. Smith as vice-president; Edward E. Smith as treasurer and M. B. Trout as secretary. He is one of the directors of the Colonial Carriage Company and a director in the Third National Bank of Circleville. He owns a fine farm of 500 acres in Pickaway County.
In 1893 Mr. Smith was married to Ellen B. Renick, who is a daughter of Felix Renick, one of the old settlers of Pickaway County. They have three children, viz.: Regina, James I., Jr., and Felix E. The family belong to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
As printed in History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Their biographies name James I. Smith: G. Mccoy (b. 1851)
The printed record stops around 1906. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.