My Genealogy Hound

Henry W. Smith was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1828. He was the eldest in the family of eight children born to William H. and Matilda (Wise) Smith, the former born in Bucks County, Penn., and the latter a native of Washington County, Penn. The father was of English descent, his ancestors being Quakers in religion, and the mother was of German descent. From Pennsylvania the parents moved to Grant County, Ind., about 1841, and about eleven years later located in Putnam County, Ill., where the father died, at the age of seventy-eight years; while in Grant County he held the office of county commissioner, and was twice a member of the Legislature from that county. By occupation he was a miller, farmer and merchant. Henry W. Smith was reared to the miller’s trade, and at the age of eighteen learned the millwright's trade. He located in Crawford County in 1859, where he has repaired a great many and built nine new mills, the first mill he erected being on the site of the old William Brittain mill. During the war he served a short time in the State Militia, but devoted most of his attention to procuring supplies for the army. He purchased his present property at Wilson’s Mills, in 1878, and also owns about 300 acres of land. In 1850 he married Emily Smith, and their union was blessed with three children, viz.: Matilda, Lewis and Harry. After the loss of his first wife Mr. Smith married Martha E. Palmer. To the latter marriage three children have been born: Frederick J., Edward M. and Henry W. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican.