My Genealogy Hound

Ansley Smith, M. D., a successful practitioner of medicine and surgery, and a most highly valued citizen of Royal Oak, Oakland County, was born in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada, in 1855. He is a son of Platt and Ann (Earl) Smith, the former of whom was born in Ontario, Canada, where he still resides, a retired farmer of Norfolk County. The family came originally from England, where the mother of Dr. Smith was born, in Sutcumb parish, Devonshire. She died in 1900 at the age of 63 years. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Church, to which her surviving husband also belongs.

Dr. Smith is the second member of a family of four children born to his parents, the others being: Thomas, a farmer of Canada; Cameron; and Agnes Estelle, deceased.

Dr. Smith was primarily educated in the common schools of Norfolk County, and then entered the Normal School at Toronto. After six years of teaching, during which time he became well known as an educator in Canada, he entered the Detroit College of Medicine, in 1881, and was graduated with great credit in 1884, receiving his degree as physician and surgeon. He entered into practice in the succeeding fall at Detroit, and continued in that city until 1893, when he removed to Kalamazoo County, Michigan, in April,1903, locating at Royal Oak. His practice in that village has grown encouragingly, as his ability has become recognized, while his pleasing personal characteristics have won him friends.

In 1884 Dr. Smith was married to Jane A. Phelps, who was born in 1858, at Buffalo, New York, and is a daughter of James and Athalinda Phelps. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Baptist Church, but the Doctor was reared a Methodist. Fraternally he belongs to the National Union and the Foresters of America, having many friends in both organizations. His professional membership is with the Oakland County Medical Society. Politically he is a Republican.