Joseph S. Smith

As printed in 1906

JOSEPH S. SMITH, president of the Ohio Cereal Company, of Circleville, a stockholder in the Third National Bank and one of the leading stockmen in this section of the State, was born at Circleville, in 1861, and is a son of Edward Smith, who was one of the early settlers and extensive farmers of Pickaway County, coming here at an early day from Canada with his parents.

Mr. Smith was educated at Circleville and at the University of Notre Dame, where he remained four years. Upon his return home, he assisted his father until he became a farmer and stock-raiser on his own account, residing meanwhile at home. He then became a member of the firm of J. S. Smith & Brothers, in the manufacture of corn meal. In 1893-94 the company built a mill for the manufacture of flour and meal and handled all kinds of grain and feed. This enterprise was carried on under the business style of the Smith Mill Company until it was consolidated with the milling concern known as the Crites Brothers Company, the new company being incorporated under the name of the Ohio Cereal Company. Joseph S. Smith became the president of this new company, which is one of the prospering concerns of Circleville.

With his two brothers, Mr. Smith forms the Ideal Stock Food Company, which manufactures the “Ideal” stock and poultry condition powders from a formula invented by Mr. Smith. It is, as its name indicates, an ideal remedy, originated by Mr. Smith through his long years of practical experience in the raising of fine blooded horses. He is connected with the Third National Bank of Circleville and he owns one of the finest and best-stocked farms in Pickaway County. It contains 600 acres and is largely devoted to the breeding of fine trotting horses and thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle. He bred “Sunnyside,” an animal which has a record of 2:15. His fine stallion “Wiltwood,” has a record of 2:2gJ/i; he is a son of “Wilton,” whose record is 2:19. A disastrous fire burned two of his finest barns and in the conflagration 18 of his finest horses perished. His stock is known for its excellence all over the State and many of his animals have distinguished themselves on the track.

In 1890 Mr. Smith was married to Mary M. Corcoran, who is a daughter of Thomas Corcoran, who was superintendent of the Sunday Creek and the Congo coal companies. Mr. and Mrs. Smith.have the following children: Mary (a student at St. Mary’s, Shepard, Ohio), Edward L., Sarah E., Margaret I., Thomas Paul, Frances Louise and Rose Victoria. The family belong to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

IBRAHAM 'JEFFERSON WILL- IAMS, one of the large owners of land and extensive farmers and stock-raisers of Pickaway County, resides on a tract of 400 acres, which is about. evenly divided by the Jackson and Muhlenberg township line and is situated on the Florence Chapel turnpike. He was born in Marion County, Ohio, April 23, 1850, and is a son of Abraham Jefferson Williams and a grandson of David Williams.

David Williams was born in Virginia and in young manhood removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where he subsequently died. That farm is now owned by Henry Williams, who is a cousin of our subject, and a son of Benjamin Williams.

Abraham Jefferson Williams, father of our subject, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, June 11, 1812, and lived there until after he was married and his two oldest children were born, when he moved to Marion County, where he died September 15, 1849, a few months before the birth of our subject. He owned 826 acres of land in Marion township, all in one body and in addition had 85 acres in timber. His family still own 826 acres in Marion County. He married Emma Trimble, who was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died May 24. 1852, in Marion County, at the age of 39 years. During a visit at Chillicothe, she met Mr. Williams and they were married shortly afterward. Her parents were Robert and Maria Thimble. There were children born to this union, namely: Maria, born March 8. 1840, in Franklin County, who married Ira Uhler, a merchant at Marion, where he died June 6, 1891, survived by his widow and three sons and one daughter; Margaret, born in Franklin County, November 28, 1843, who is now a widow residing at Myerstown, Pennsylvania — one of her two children is living; Mary E., born November 26, 1846, who resides with her brother; Sarah Elizabeth, born in Marion County, October 21, 1848, who resides also in the old home with her brother; and Abraham Jefferson.

Abraham J. Williams was two years old when he became an orphan, and, with his two sisters, Mary E. and Sarah Elizabeth, were brought to the present farm by an uncle and aunt, Felix and Mary (Williams) Renick. The uncle died October 29, 1883, aged 70 years, 10 months and 23 days, leaving this fine estate to the three children, he and his wife owning the farm jointly and having no children of their own. Mr. Renick and brother had bought the farm in partnership and Felix Renick’s wife had later purchased his brother’s interest. It is one of the fine states of this locality, one generously endowed by Nature, fertile and watered by Darby Creek, which bounds it on the south and west. Mr. Williams devotes the whole of his time and attention to farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Williams has been a Republican all his life. He is a member and one of the trustees of the Presbyterian Church in Jackson township. which is located within a mile and a quarter of his home. With his sisters he is universally respected and esteemed throughout the neighborhood. All are single and have a wide and pleasant social circle.

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.