My Genealogy Hound

HUTCHINSON SMITH, a well known business man and real estate agent of Lower Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was born at Huntington Valley, Montgomery county, October 20, 1835. He is a descendant of William Smith, the immigrant ancestor, who came from Yorkshire, England, in 1684, and settled at Wrightstown, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, thus making them one of the oldest families in that state. He married, 9th mo. 20, 1690, Mary Croasdale. One of their sons, William Smith, married Rebecca Wilson, and among their children was a son, Thomas Smith, who married Sarah Townsend. William Smith, son of Thomas and Sarah Smith, a representative of the fourth generation in this country, married Sarah Buckman, and among their children was John Smith, father of Hutchinson Smith.

John Smith (father) was born in 1803. He was educated in the schools adjacent to his home, spent the early years of his life on a farm, and then learned the trade of blacksmith, which he prosecuted for many years in Moreland township, having removed to that vicinity for that purpose. He was also a real estate agent and conveyancer, and for a period of time served in the capacity of president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He filled the office of justice of the peace, and was also county commissioner for a time to complete the term of Samuel Shoemaker. He married Agnes Hallowell, daughter of Caleb and Mary (Waterman) Hallowell, and to this union were born the following children: Caleb H., who married Susan V. Hallowell, and had one child, Frances, deceased; Franklin, who married Sarah Linton, and had one child, Mary A.; Mary; Hutchinson, mentioned at length hereinafter; Anna, deceased, who was well known among the Society of Friends as an able and prominent speaker. Mrs. Smith also was a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and always manifested a deep interest in all their affairs. The death of Mr. Smith occurred in July, 1867, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.

Hutchinson Smith obtained his education in the schools of the neighborhood and London Grove Academy, completing his studies in the latter named institution. He then learned the trade of carpenter, which he followed for a number of years. He acquired forty acres of land at Huntington Valley, which he tilled for four years, after which he engaged in the mercantile business, locating at Weldon, in Abington township, continuing in the same line for thirty-one years. He then placed his business in the hands of his son, Frederick J. Smith, who still conducts the store. In 1897 Mr. Smith engaged in the real estate and conveyancing business, having his office at No. 447 York avenue, Jenkintown. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Jenkintown National Bank since 1877, a period of twenty-seven years, and serves as treasurer of the Willow Grove and Germantown Turnpike Company, in which he has rendered efficient and valuable service toward perfecting the thoroughfare and in its management. He is a thoroughly reliable and careful business man, and enjoys the confidence of the community in which he has lived so long, and in which his career has been so useful and honorable.

Mr. Smith married Mary Elizabeth Comly, 5-mo., 1, 1862, who was born 2-mo., 10, 1839, daughter of John M. and Mary Ann (Tyson) Comly, and their children are: 1. C. Comly, born 7 mo., 15, 1863. 2. Frederic J., born 10-mo., 18, 1867, married 10-mo., 7, 1897, Caroline W. Thomas, daughter of Joseph and Mary Thomas, and their children are: Joseph H., born 7-mo., 31, 1898; Franklin J., born 4-mo., 21, 1900; and Mary Elizabeth Smith, born 10-mo.; 14, 1902. 3. Elizabeth H., born 6-mo., 7, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of Abington Monthly Meeting of Friends.