Simon Smith

As printed in 1909

SIMON SMITH.

Simon Smith richly deserves the proud American title of a self-made man for, starting out in life for himself at a very early age, he has since worked his way steadily upward until today he ranks among the progressive and influential farmers of Butler township. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Greensburg, Westmoreland county, on the 20th of March, 1844, and is a son of Simon and Mary (Roderdaugh) Smith. On account of the early death of his parents he knows but little concerning the family history. The father passed away in Greensburg, where his remains were laid to rest, while the mother’s demise occurred in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1850, her remains being interred in a cemetery of that city.

When but a little lad of four or five years Simon Smith accompanied his aunt on her removal to Dayton, Ohio, and in the common schools of that city he acquired his education. When little more than a child, he lost both of his parents and he was thus early thrown upon his own responsibility. After setting aside his textbooks he at once took up the occupation of farming and has since been actively engaged in this connection. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-three acres of fine farm land in Butler township, Montgomery county, to the improvement and cultivation of which he is directing his energies. He early learned that there is no excellence without labor, no royal road to wealth, and he toiled early and late to overcome the obstacles and difficulties that best his path, ere he attained the gratifying degree of prosperity which he now enjoys. His indefatigable energy, his undaunted enterprise and his untiring perseverance have been the salient elements in his present success.

In 1869 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Alice Crosby, a daughter of James and Lydia Ann (Baner) Crosby, natives of Philadelphia and Cape May, New Jersey, respectively. Her father, who was born in 1812, came to Ohio at the age of eighteen, settling in Warren county, and he was engaged in general farming until his demise, which occurred in September, 1884, in Montgomery county. His wife, whose birth occurred in 1817, passed away in June, 1886, her remains being interred in Greencastle cemetery, where her husband was also buried. She was an orthodox Quaker and an earnest, conscientious Christian woman.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simon Smith were born ten children, namely: Mattie, born July 2, 1870; Albert, born July 7, 1871; Lottie A., born June 13, 1872; Etta May, born January 7, 1874; Oella, born February 13, 1875; Rollo J., born April 3, 1876; Wilmer S., born March 19, 1880; Harry C., born August 17, 1881; Walter B., born March 1, 1885; and Warren B., born June 1, 1892. Of this number three have now passed away, namely: Lottie, whose death occurred August 25, 1872; Etta, who died July 12, 1874; and Oella, who passed away on the 12th of July, 1875 here. They are all buried in the cemetery at Greencastle. The eldest daughter Mattie, is now the wife of F. E. Dixon and makes her home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They have two children, Marguerite and Marie. Albert married Elizabeth Norton and resides in Jackson, Mississippi. They have five children, Chester, Roy, Helen, Alice and Mary. Rollo J. wedded Eva Keeton and with their three children, Bessie, Manis and Wilber, resides at Knobel, Arkansas. Wilmer and Warren are both living at home. Harry, who married Floy Holbert, by whom he has one child, Lester, resides on the home farm, and Walter B., who also lives at home, is a stenographer for the Barney Smith Car Company.

During the dark days of the Civil war, Mr. Smith was a loyal defender of the Union, serving from October, 1861, until July, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. In politics he votes with the democratic party and is public spirited in his citizenship. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of honest labor. Starting out in life without any favoring circumstances, through the exercises of his dominant powers— ambition, energy and industry — he has worked his way up and is now classed among the prosperous and influential farmers of Butler township.

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.