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Below is a family biography included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published by W. H. Beers & Co. in 1880.  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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WILLIAM SMITH, farmer; P. O. West Milton; born on the place where he now resides Oct. 24, 1828; is a son of John and Elizabeth (Fouts) Smith. His father was born in Ashe Co., N. C., April 3, 1801; his mother was born in this township July 3, 1809, and was a daughter of Grandfather Fouts, a pioneer, of whom proper mention is made in the historical part of this work. His father, with his parents, came to this country in the year 1810, and located in Brush Creek, in Munroe Township, where he lived and died, having been born in Germany. John, father of our subject, remained at home till his marriage, which occurred Dec. 4, 1824, after which he removed to this township, locating in the thick woods, being obliged to cut away the underbrush before he could erect a cabin; here he cleared up a farm and made a permanent home, in which he lived till his death, Sept. 26, 1870; his mother departed this life June 19, 1855. They were parents of three children, two of whom are living, viz., Mrs. McCool, widow of Albert McCool, and our subject. Mary, Mrs. Fentress, deceased. Grandfather Henry Smith was born in Baden, Germany, in 1770, and, owing allegiance to the crown, was obliged, in order to get away, to go without means; on his landing in Baltimore, he was sold to a man named House, of Pennsylvania, to pay his transportation, and after gaining his freedom, removed to North Carolina. He died in 1827; he was the father of nine children, three of whom are living, viz., Henry, Rachel and Leah; the two latter reside in Fairbury, Ill. The deceased are George, John, David, Catherine, Sally and Elizabeth. Our subject’s boyhood days were spent on the farm, and in a manner usual with youth, and after gaining proper age and strength, he became a valuable auxiliary to his father in the labors of the farm, with whom he labored till he attained his majority. He has been twice married; first, with Henrietta Pearson in 1849; to them two children were born, both deceased, viz., John and Noah W. Mrs. Smith died in 1851, aged 22 years. In 1853, with Mary Davis he celebrated his second marriage; to them six children have been born, five of whom are living, viz., Lawson, Martha, Branson, Isabelle and Esly. The deceased Elizabeth. He owns 190 acres of land, which is all well improved, making a very desirable place in which to enjoy one’s declining years. Mrs. Smith is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Davis, who were born in Henry Co., Va. and removed to Montgomery Co., Ohio, about 1838, where he died June 2, 1852; he was born June 11, 1800. Her mother was born in the same month and day in 1803, and departed this life April 8, 1872. She was the mother of nine children four sons and five daughters. She united with the Regular Baptist Church when 18 years of age, of which church she was an exemplary member; she afterward united with the Christian Church, of which she was a member until her death.

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This family biography is one of 964 biographies included in The History of Miami County, Ohio published in 1880 by W. H. Beers & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Miami County, Ohio History and Genealogy

View additional Miami County, Ohio family biographies here: Miami County, Ohio Biographies

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