James Smith

As printed in 1906

JAMES SMITH. Death often claims from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose, and when it claimed James Smith the community mourned the loss of a representative citizen, widely and favorably known in agricultural circles. He was born in Preble county, Ohio, November 2, 1827, a son of Isaac Smith, who came with his family to Berrien county, Michigan, in 1830, the son James being then a little lad of three years. To the schools of Berrien township he was indebted for the early educational training which he received, this being further supplemented by attendance at the schools of Niles, but in early life he put aside his text books and began work in the fields, agriculture proving his life occupation.

In 1852 Mr. Smith was married to Maivina Babcock, who was born in Rensselaer county. New York, east of the Hudson, November 16, 1829. Her father, John Babcock, a native of the same county, was a prominent attorney at law, following his profession at Troy, New York, for many years, and his death occurred in that city at the age of forty-six years. He was a son of John Babcock, who was a native of Massachusetts, a farmer by occupation, and a prominent man in the early affairs of his community, having served as a justice of the peace and in many other ways assisting in the upbuilding of the commonwealth. The family was of English and Scotch descent. John Babcock married Sarah Kendall, who also claimed Rensselaer county, New York, as the place of her nativity, being the daughter of Joshua Kendall, a native of Rhode Island and of English descent. Mrs. Babcock lived to be eighty-one years of age, dying in Van Buren county, Michigan. In their family were eleven children, eight of whom grew to years of maturity and four are now living, — Mrs. Smith; W. I., of Niles, Michigan; H. B., a resident of Rosedale, Kansas; and J. N., a resident of Benton township.

Mrs. Smith located in Van Buren county, Michigan, in 1844, accompanying her sister and the latter's husband, William Millspaugh. She began teaching school when but fifteen years of age, following that occupation for eight years or until her marriage to James Smith on the 24th of October, 1852. For two years thereafter the young couple lived in Cass county, Michigan, after which they returned to Berrien county and located on the old homestead which has since been the home of Mrs. Smith. They became the parents of four children, namely: Martha, at home; Mary, who became the. wife of H. G. Correll, and died at the age of twenty-three years; Prof. Ethan H., a resident of San Francisco, California, and a graduate of the Bellevue Hospital of New York city; and Charles R., at home with his mother. Mrs. Smith owns one hundred and eighty acres of rich and well cultivated land, over which she has had supervision since her husband's death. He was ever loyal to his duties of citizenship and used his franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, while his fraternal relations were with the Masonic order. He was deeply concerned in the welfare of his community, influential in his own neighborhood and for a number of years served as a school officer. He passed away February 19, 1899, but in the hearts of his many friends are enshrined many pleasant memories of him, and his influence for good remains with those who knew him. Prof. Ethan H. Smith now holds the chair of orthopoedic surgery in the College of San Francisco, California.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.