My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE SMITH, a lifelong resident and native of Middlefield, Hampshire County, and one of the best- known agriculturists of that town, was born on July 17, 1834, son of Asa and Sally (Root) Smith.

His father, who was a native of Connecticut, where he was born March 23, 1788, when a small boy, came with his parents to Massachusetts, making the journey thither on horseback. They settled in Middlefield, where Grandfather Smith purchased a large farm, on which he passed the remainder of his life, engaged in the healthful labors of farming. Asa Smith successfully followed the same occupation throughout his life. He died May 6, 1869. His wife, who was born August 19, 1790, was a native of Massachusetts, as were both her parents. She died September 3, 1836. Their union was blessed with nine children. Asenath, the eldest, born September 17, 1811, married Parsons P. Meacham, a successful farmer in New York State, both of whom died, she October 8, 1892, and he September 6, 1887. Six children were born to them; namely, Harriett (deceased), George (deceased), Charles H., Francis W., Cynthia C. (deceased), and Lawrence L. Calvin Smith, born July 17, 1813, died August 23, 1814. Calvin Smith (second), born December 9, 1814, married for his first wife Miss Harriet M. Crozier, who was born March 18, 1818, and died in March, 1842. He then married his second wife, Miss Aurelia Loveland, who was born August 18, 1822. He had one son by his first union, Jerome, and four sons by the second union: Edwin; Dwight (deceased); Lofton J.; and Frank. Calvin Smith died December 10, 1882. Harriett Smith, born April 6, 1817, died January 6, 1844. Almira Smith, born September 4, 1819, married Benjamin Pratt, and died March 4, 1889, leaving five children: Clara, Arthur D., Sumner G. (deceased), Elma, and Edwin D. Caroline Smith, born February 11, 1822, married Edwin Dudley, and died June 1, 1894, leaving five children: Emma M., Oakley S., Helen E., Lofton F., and Carroll E. Harmony Smith, born June 4, 1824, is the widow of Cyrus Dudley, who died January 26, 1876; she now resides in New Jersey. Angeline, born December 15, 1828, died May 7, 1829.

George Smith, the youngest of the family and the subject of this sketch, remained with his parents and helped his father in carrying on the farm. After their death he purchased the old homestead, which he has profitably conducted since. He devotes his attention principally to general farming, raising good crops of the staple products of the vicinity. He also engages to some extent in dairying.

Mr. Smith has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united November 12, 1862, was Miss Anna Belle Walker, who was born in 1844. She died September 1, 1866, leaving one son, Arthur L., whose birth occurred September 1, 1863; he married Miss Florence Marshall, and is now a successful physician in New Brunswick, N.J. Mr. Smith’s second union was with Miss Julia E. Bartlett, a native of Worthington, where she was born December 25, 1847, daughter of Asa and Polly Bartlett, both of whom were also natives of Massachusetts. Her father is a carpenter by trade, and is also engaged in farming. Her mother died June 24, 1891. Mrs. Smith has borne her husband five children: Herbert, born April 9, 1870, who died October 1, 1870; George Ernest, born April 14, 1872, who died August 19, 1872; Edith M., born December 9, 1873; Walter A., born December 1, 1875; and Kirby W., born July 11, 1880.

Mr. Smith is a faithful supporter of the Republican party, and has always been actively interested in politics. He and his wife are communicants of the Baptist church at Middlefield.