My Genealogy Hound

Jacob Haskell Smith, a prominent and prosperous farmer of White Lake township, Oakland County, owning a fine farm of 220 acres in section 7, was born in Wayne County, Michigan, in 1850, and is a son of Benjamin and Abigail Smith, both of whom were born in the State of New York.

Benjamin Smith at one time kept a hotel at Plymouth, Michigan. To him and his wife Abigail were born the following children: Arasina, Mary Jane, John and James, all deceased; Frederick, of Wayne County, Michigan, and Jacob Haskell, our subject.

His death occurred in 1853, while on his way to California. His widow married John Miller, and one daughter was born to them, Libbie Ann, whose first husband was William Hulbert and her second William Neal, of Springfield township, Oakland County. Mrs. Miller died in 1864.

Jacob Haskell Smith was educated in the district schools and has always led an agricultural life, being considered in White Lake township as a first-class farmer. He has given attention to general farming, stock raising and fruit growing.

In 1883 he was married to Phoebe A. Bush, who was born in Highland township, Oakland County, in 1860, and is a daughter of John and Lena Bush. No children having been born to them, in 1900 they took an attractive little lad from the Orphans’ Home at Coldwater, Michigan, by the name of George Fonger, and, while not formally adopted, has been reared as a son, being now a bright, intelligent youth of 13 years.

In politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. In religious belief he and his wife are Presbyterians and liberally contribute to the church at White Lake. They are held in much respect throughout White Lake township.