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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ASA C. SMITH, who for some years was identified with the manufacturing industries of Western Massachusetts, is now a very successful farmer of Belchertown, where he was born, January 2, 1847. His father, Lucius Smith, was born in Connecticut, March 21, 1820; but his grandfather, Asa Smith, who was also a native of that State, moved to Massachusetts, and settled at Monson, Hampden County, where he engaged in milling. He afterward purchased a farm in the south part of Belchertown. He married Miss Isabella Tyler; and their children were: Asa, Tyler, Hannah, Lucius, and Ann. Lucius Smith received a common-school education, and in his early manhood assisted his father in the mill at Monson. Subsequent to their removal to South Belchertown he here devoted his time to farming. His first wife, whose maiden name was Lucretia Parsons, died soon after their marriage; and he wedded for his second wife Mrs. Thankful Hathaway Parsons, daughter of Abner Hathaway, this union being blessed with but one son, Asa C. Smith, above-named. Lucius Smith died January 14, 1883, his wife surviving until May 22, 1893.

Asa C. Smith pursued the usual course of study in the common schools of his native town, and, after attending the Bondville High School for two terms, entered the milling business at Granby, being then eighteen years old. Later he engaged in the same occupation at Tylerville. At the age of twenty-two years he was placed in charge of a room at the mills in Wales, Hampden County, Mass.; and three years later he became superintendent, a position which he most ably filled for a period of some years. He was engaged in the manufacturing industries until 1883, when on account of poor health he purchased a farm of one hundred acres adjoining the old home-stead of his parents, and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He has continued thus engaged, and is exceedingly prosperous.

On May 12, 1879, he married Miss Carrie R. Burke, daughter of Edward and Jane Burke, of Monson. They have one daughter, Mabel M., who was born March 1, 1880. Mr. Smith is an earnest Republican in politics, and has served as a Selectman in Belchertown for seven consecutive years.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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