Newton Smith

As printed in 1894

NEWTON SMITH is the representative of a family whose settlement was established in this county and in the township of Reiley in 1816. His grandfather, Capt. John Smith, served in the Revolutionary War, under General LaFayette, until the close of that memorable struggle, having entered the army at the age of sixteen years. He was a native of New Jersey, but came from Pennsylvania and settled here in 1816. In Pennsylvania he was married to Rebecca Griffin on his twenty-fifth birthday, he having been born in 1762. In 1819 he built the first brick house in Reiley Township, burning the brick himself. This old landmark stood until about eight years ago. He, with his estimable wife and seven children, settled in this township, having entered three hundred and twenty acres on section 20, and one hundred and sixty acres on section 29. His wife, Rebecca, died in 1819, and he lived to be eighty-eight years, nine months and fourteen days old.

The father of our subject, John Smith, was born in Fayette County, Pa., July 28, 1808. He was brought up on the farm, and early in life became accustomed to the work incident to that occupation. He was educated in the public schools, which afforded but meager facilities, so that his education was necessarily somewhat limited, lie was a man of natural ability, and by observation and application became well informed on many subjects. Upon attaining his majority he was married to Sarah Jones, a daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Farnsworth) Jones, who were also pioneers of the country, and came from Pennsylvania, although New Jersey was their native state. He had been previously married to Sarah Lemon, who died, leaving one child, Rebecca Ann, who became Mrs. Wynn, and died in 1873. From the second union seven children were born, five sons and two daughters, of whom John, the eldest, resides on a farm in Carroll County, Ind., and is a carpenter by ti'ade; Nicholas J. is at the same place and occupied in the same business; Daniel W. is a farmer of Hamilton County; Newton is the subject of this sketch, and with him Charles is associated in business, operating an extensive farm and dealing in stock. The latter married Mary Van Sickle, and they have two children. The commodious brick house on the old homestead affords ample room for the accommodation of two families under its spacious roof. Mary A. is the wife of Frank Van Horn, who is a farmer of eastern Colorado. Fannie is the widow of Dayton Larrimore, and lives at College Corner.

Our subject was educated in the public schools at Peoria, which instruction was later supplemented by a two-years course in a normal institution. He with his brother Charles managed the home farm of two hundred and twenty-eight acres, and are quite successful in business. Our subject was married on October 14, 1885, to Burdie Slump, of Cincinnati. Her father was for years a manufacturer of that city, but has more lately turned his attention to bee culture. Mrs. Smith was born April 5, 1860, and was brought up and educated in Cincinnati. Her parents are both deceased. Her father was twice married, and had one child by the second wife. Her step-mother is now living in Cincinnati. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one child, a son named Clarence, who was born on the old farm, January 9, 1888. The Smith brothers make a specialty of growing fine hogs for breeding purposes, the strain being the Duroc Jersey. They now have a drove of about one hundred and fifty head of thoroughbreds on the farm. They also make a specialty of fine butter, using the “ Cooley Creamery Process,” and having regular customers in Hamilton for their entire product at good prices. They have a fine herd of Jersey cows, and make a success of farming generally. Politically Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and is well posted upon the important political questions of the day. He takes a commendable interest in educational matters, and has served his district on the School Board. These brothers stand high in the estimation of the public generally, and are genial, pleasant gentlemen.

As printed in Memorial record of Butler County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of representative citizens of the county together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.