Biography of:

James Harvey Smith

Biographical Review XXXI: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Berkshire County, Mass.  Biographical Review Publishing Company: Boston, 1899.

Transcribed by Margaret Bence Davis, November 2003.

James Harvey Smith, a substantial farmer and milk dealer of Pittsfield, was born May 28, 1828 in Hancock, Mass. on his father's farm which extended in Pittsfield. His paternal grandfather, John Smith, was one of the early settlers of the western part of Berkshire County where he was engaged in tilling the soil for a large part of his active life. John Smith's son, Sylvester, was born on the homestead property which was located but a half mile from Lebanon Springs, N. Y.  Sylvester grew to manhood on his father's farm across the mountain. Having decided to follow the occupation to  which he was brought up he purchased land in the part of Hancock that joins Pittsfield, which was then an unbroken wilderness. Of the three hundred acres included in his estate he cleared a large portion converting the timber into lumber, railway ties, cord wood and charcoal.

 

After erecting a large brick house and accomplishing a great deal of pioneer labor, he died at the age of fifty-four years. His wife whose maiden name was Amelia Smalley, a daughter of Rufus Smalley, was born in Poultney, VT and was bred and educated in Lebanon, NY. She died at an advanced age having borne her husband four children. These were; Hiram B., who became a merchant in Sternsville and died in 1897; Minell, also deceased; Mrs. David Hart; and James Harvey. Both parents were members of the Baptist Church and they reared their children in the same faith.

 

James Harvey Smith was educated principally in the public schools of Pittsfield and lived on the parental homestead until after the birth of is two older children. Going then to Sternsville, he had charge of the farm and teams of D. & H. Sterns for four years in the capacity of foreman. From Sternsville he came to Pittsfield and rented a farm on West Street. At the end of three years he went to Redmond (sic Richmond) where he rented and carried on the Shaker farm of three hundred acres for four years. Returning to this city afterwards, he purchased a farm which managed successfully for four years. In 1868 he bought a part of his present estate which by subsequent purchases of parcels of land has been increased to four hundred acres being now one of the largest on West Street. On January 1, 1863 Mr. Smith began his career as a milkman running a team into the city a distance of three and a half miles. Since that time he has missed getting through but five days. But two other dealers sold milk in Pittsfield in 1863, neither of whom is now in the business. He began with a few cows, at first buying a part of the milk. Now he has twenty-five graded Holstiens and a very extensive trade.

 

Mr. Smith uniformly supports the Democratic party which he served as a delegate to county and State conventions. For six years after the incorporation of the city, he was a member of the School Board, serving during the entire time on the Fuel Committee. Much advancement in the classification of school work was made during those six years and a number of school buildings were erected, including the Briggs School, the Russell school and the present high school buildings. In 1896 Mr. Smith was elected Alderman from Ward One and served on the ordinance and other committees.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith had fourteen children. Of these eleven reached adult life, namely:

    1, Ida now deceased, who married George Cleveland of Springfield, Mass. and left on child Edith May.

    2. Manda also deceased, who was the wife of Charles LeClair.

    3. James H. of this city an engineer on the Boston & Albany Railway, who married Olive Scarboro and has four children; Harry, Lewis, Bessie and Ruth.

    4. George Albert residing at home.

    5. Harry S. residing at home.

    6. Walter E. residing at home.

    7. Ella J. a teacher in the Pittsfield schools

    8. Maria who is the wife of Herbert Mason of Upton, Mass.

    9. Jennie C. also living at home.

   10. Anna J. who is now the wife of John Benz of this city and has six chidlren; Albert, John, Hazel, Ralph, Walter, and Madelinet (sic Madeline) Gladys

   11. Clara a teacher in Pittsfield.

 

Mr . Smith and his family are members of the Baptist Church.