Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== SOURCE: Portrait and Biographical Record of Kalamazoo, Allegan and Van Buren Counties, Michigan Chapman Bros, Chicago - 1892 [Page 520] JOSEPH SMITH. The name of this gentleman is a familiar one throughout Allegan County, where he is known as the owner of a farm on section 17, Pine Plains Township. In 1875, he located upon the estate which he still operates, and which comprises three hundred acres of good land. In conection with his agri- cultural pursuits, he manages a sawmill, and both as a farmer and miller his efforts have been successful. He is a man of marked energy, and his success is the more remarkable, when it is remembered that he was in childhood deprived of the advan- tages of a good education, and was compelled to work his way unaided from an humble to a prosperous position. The boyhood days of Mr. SMITH were spent on a farm in Union County, Pa., where he was born in 1835. His father, Jacob, was a native of Pennsylvania, and, at the age of nineteen, married Elizabeth, daughter of George WYANT. They became the parents of nine children: Julia, John, Catherine, Aaron, Isaac, Maria, Joseph, Susan and Robert. In 1857, the father, accompanied by his wife and children, emigrated to West Michigan, locating near Bristol, St. Joseph County, and there operating as a farmer and miller until his death. Early in life, our subject was thrown upon his own resources and compelled to make his way in the world unaided. He learned the trade of a carpenter when eighteen, and was engaged for sev- eral years in that way. When ready to establish domestic ties, he was married to Rosana, daughter of John and Lydia CLINE. After his marriage, he removed to St. Joseph County, this State, and remained upon a farm there until 1875, the year of his re- moval to his present place. By indefatigable energy and un- remitting labor, he has gained possession of a splendid farm, and is known as one of the most successful farmers of Pine Plains Township. In all his enterprises, Mr. SMITH has received the devoted co-partnership of his estimable wife. She was one of seven children who were named Samuel, Polly, James, Joseph, Susan, Sophia and Rebecca. Her father, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania, followed farming in that State during his entire life. Mr. and Mrs. SMITH are the parents of seven children, namely: Elnora, wife of Samuel EMERY; Emma, wife of John M. MANN; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Henry EMERY; John and James, who make their homes in South Dakota, and Frank and William A., who still re- main at home. ===========================================================================