Wilson B. Smith

As printed in 1894

WILSON B. SMITH. A history of the development of Wayne Township, and so of Butler County, would be incomplete without notice of Mr. Smith, who has taken a leading part in improving the agricultural resources of this section, and who to-day is one of the most influential citizens and enterprising farmers. In pushing forward the best interests of the community he has been of great assistance, and is a credit to his native county, where he occupies a high place in the regard of the people.

Upon the old homestead where his father’s eyes had first opened to the light of earth, the subject of this biographical notice was born April 24, 1844. Concerning his ancestry mention is made in the sketch of Samuel Smith, elsewhere presented. In boyhood he was the recipient of excellent educational advantages, and after completing the studies of the common schools he was for two years a student in Miami University, Oxford. Fired with the zeal of youth and patriotism, he enlisted during the late war as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio Infantry, and served one hundred days, principally on garrison duty in Virginia and West Virginia. Returning home, he resumed his studies in the university which he attended in 1866-67. He then entered Iron City College, at Pittsburg, Pa., from which he was graduated in the business department in

His studies completed, our subject, in company with his uncle, Burns Wilson, visited Europe, journeying through Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England and France. He left New York on the day of the eclipse in 1869. In the fall of 1870 he took a trip through the Western States, and on his return to Ohio settled upon the farm which he has since cultivated. June 11, 1873, he was united in marriage with Anna J., daughter of Alexander Patton, and at the time of her marriage a resident of Bourbon County, near Millersburg, Ky. They became the parents of five children, the eldest of whom, Harry, is a student in the Ohio Dental College, of Cincinnati; Jennie Mary died when in her third year, in 1880; Lucile, aged thirteen, and Ruby and Pearl (twins), aged eleven, are with their parents, and carrying on their studies in the public schools.

The popularity of Mr. Smith is proved by the fact that in a township with a Democratic majority of one hundred he was elected six successive years upon the Republican ticket to the office of Trustee. He then refused further re-election, although urged to continue in office. He has never been a politician, though such positions as he has accepted have come to him unsought. For two years he was President of the School Board, and for six years served as Judge of Elections. A Presbyterian in religious belief, he holds membership in the Presbyterian Church of Seven Mile, in which he is Deacon and Trustee. His wife is also identified with that denomination. She is an estimable lady, a sincere Christian, and esteemed for her many noble qualities of heart. Through her paternal ancestors, the Pattons, and her material forefathers, the Marshalls, she is connected with some of the oldest and most honored people of the Blue Grass State. Her grandfather was an uncle of ex-Gov. William Marshall, of Minnesota, and others of her relatives have become widely and honorably known in public life.

The farm upon which our subject resides consists of two hundred and forty-seven acres, of which one hundred and eight acres belonged to the original tract purchased by his grandfather. Besides the raising of cereals, he has on his place the best grades of stock, and is making a success of that department of agriculture.

DMUND L. DENMAN is one of the enterprising and progressive young farmers of Union Township, where he has spent the principal part of his life. He is now engaged in farming on the old homestead, formerly the property of his father, a well improved and valuable place, comprising one hundred and sixty-two acres. He comes from one of the most highly respected pioneer families of Butler County, his ancestors having assisted in founding its prosperity and high position among the sisterhood of counties in this state.

The parents of our subject were Edmund H. and Elvira A. (Lyon) Denman, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. Edmund Denman learned the carpenter’s trade on reaching maturity, and went to Cincinnati in 1817. While there he built the old Sixth Street Market House, and worked for some time at his trade. Later he became a permanent inhabitant of Butler County, his first location being in Morgan Township, where his father purchased land and reared his family. Subsequently he turned his attention to agriculture, and began farming on the place where his son, Edmund L., now resides. This homestead, comprising one hundred and sixty-two acres, became his by purchase, and there he continued to live until his death, which occurred September 27, 1891, at the age of eighty-two years, three months and thirteen days. His wife, who was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, was called to her final rest in July, 1887, when she was in her sixty’-sixth year. They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, five of. whom have been called from this life. Those living are: Frank F., George C., William L., Edmund L. and Laura A. E. H. Denman was a member of the Odd Fellows’ fraternity, and in politics was a Republican. He accumulated considerable property in Cincinnati before turning his attention to farming, and succeeded in amassing a valuable estate. His father, also a farmer, was born in New Jersey and was a hero of the War of 1812. His family numbered three daughters and two sons. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Jonathan Lyon, was a carpenter by pursuit, and was a very prominent man in the Methodist denomination.

Edmund L. Denman was born in Union Township, July 22, 1862, and his boyhood was uneventfully passed on the farm where he now resides. He remained with his parents until they were claimed by death, and has always devoted himself to farming. He received a good common-school education and has made the best of his opportunities in every direction. For the past seven years he has been engaged in farming on his own account and has been abundantly prospered.

October 10, 1888, Mr. Denman married Miss Mary E., daughter of John and Jennie (Pottenger) Hunter. Three daughters and one son have been born of this union, their names being as follows: Jennie Elizabeth, Laura Alice, Nancy and Edmund L. Mrs. Denman is a member of the Christian Church, to the support of which her husband is a liberal and interested contributor. His mother was a life member of the Foreign Missionary Society, and his sister, Ella De C., a graduate of the Bible School of Philadelphia, was also devoted to the cause of missions.

Fraternally Mr. Denman is a Knight of Pythias, being identified with Glendale Lodge No. 600, of Glendale, Ohio. He uses his right of franchise in favor of the candidates of the Republican party. He has the high regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who admire his upright course in life and commend him for li is worthy qualities.

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.