Nelson J. Smith

As printed in 1881

NELSON J. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Massillon; born in June, 183", in Luzerne Co., Penn., the third of the family born to his parents, who were Benjamin Smith and Mary Coder; he was born in Pennsylvania in 1800; son of Phineas Smith, a native of Mai-land. To Benjamin Smith and wife were born nine children. Mai'y was a daughter of Henry Coder, who served in the war of 1812. Benjamin Smith came to Stark County, locating in Perry Township, in 1830, purchasing 160 acres of unimproved land, upon which he remained until his death, which occurred in November, 1873; he was for fifty years a member of the Methodist Church; his father was a local preacher. IVIrs. Smith also was a faithful member of her husband's church; she died April, 1844. Nelson J. remained on the home fai-m until April, 1854, when he married Matilda Wesener, who was born in the city of Philadelphia Sept. 11, 1833, daughter of Christian Wesener, who was born in Westphalia, Gennany, in 1776, the youngest of a family of twelve children. The father of Mrs. Smith was educated for a priest; his father was a prominent man of that time; he had a son who served in King William's army, and was said to be seven feet in height. Christopher Wesener, not liking the idea of being raised in priesthood, left, and came to the Isle of Demerara, where he had one child born, Vincent, the eldest child of his family. The mother of Mrs. Smith was Charlotte Bnekius Smith, being the youngest child. His second wife was Margaret Buckius. Christopher Wesener was an excellent chemist; after leaving the Isle of Demerara, he located in Roseville, in the subiu'bs of Philadelphia, where he followed his profession. Mr. Buckius, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Smith, was a native of Germany, and a Mason; while on his voyage to this county. the vessel was fiOT tiikon by pirates, and ho about tki he killed, but making the mystic sign of his order, his life was spared and wiis put off on an island. Mrs. Smith came to (,'anton in 184(1; one yeai" lat(>r, came to this township, and has since remained. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children, Anna W. and Emma C. All of the family im members of the Methodist Episcojial Cluu'ch. Mr. Smith has been a constant resident of the township since his birth, and lived adjoining to the homestead farm.

As printed in History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.