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.
From History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909)
JOHN G. SMITH.
Since the April election in 1902 John G. Smith has filled the office of clerk of Harrison township. He also farms on a tract of fifty-eight acres of fine land about three miles north of Dayton, on the Needmore road, and is a man prominent in local affairs, as were members of his family for several generations back. On his father’s side he is descended from the Penningtons, an old English family, one of whom, Mr. Smith’s great-grandfather, was a warrant officer in King George’s navy during the Revolutionary war. At Philadelphia this gentleman left his ship, married, came west, and settled in Ohio. His daughter, Hannah Pennington, became the wife of Abner Smith, our subject’s grandfather, wffio came from Virginia and was one of the early settlers in Clinton county, Ohio. From there his son James, John G. Smith’s father, came to this county, where he is still living. During the years of his activity he was a man of means and very prominent among his fellow citizens, but now he has put aside the weightier cares of life and lives in retirement.
John G. Smith was born on the old Kennedy farm, on which he worked from early boyhood, even during the years he sought for the rudiments of learning in the old Ebenezer school. On the 20th of October, 1890, he was married to Miss Rockie Hixson, daughter of Aquilla and Naoma (Lodge) Hixson. Mr. Hixson is now enjoying the life of a retired farmer, and the honors that are bestowed upon a man who was of that gallant army that fought for the preservation of the Union. Lie enlisted shortly after the beginning of the war in the One Hundred and Fifty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, and served in the Army of the Potomac, remaining in the service until the hostilities ceased.
Mr. Smith’s religious allegiance is given to the Methodist Episcopal church of Ebenezer. With the Vandalia Lodge, I. O. O. E., he enjoys many a social gathering, for he is a popular man, highly esteemed among those who know him best. His reputation as a man of commendable public spirit has been strengthened during the seven years he has been the incumbent of the clerk’s office, and it is sincerely hoped that he will not soon be released from his duties.
As printed in History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1909. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.