BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 676-677.

JOHN S. SMITH

John S. Smith, of Richland township, was born in 1834, the son of Joseph and
Rebecca (McMillan) Smith. His father was born in Washington, Penn., in 1804,
the son of John Smith, who was a native of Chester, Penn. The latter was a
soldier in the war of 1812, and after that struggle was over removed to
Indiana and settled on a farm near where Terre Haute now stands, but had
been there but a few weeks when he died. John S. Smith was reared in Belmont
county, and after receiving a common school education, had procured a license
to teach when there was a demand for his services on behalf of his country,
and in 1862 he enlisted in Company G, Ninety-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry
under Capt. Hugh Ferguson. He served in the battle of Perrysville, but was
soon broken in health, and became unfit for duty much of the time. He remained
with his regiment, however, until the close of the war, receiving his discharge
at Harrisburgh, Penn., in July, 1865. He now receives a pension of $22 per month.
Returning to Richland township, he was elected justice of the peace and held
that office two terms. He then removed to Union township, and became railroad
and express agent at Lafferty Station, and while holding that position was
elected justice of the peace, but declined to serve. His father becoming an
invalid, Mr. Smith returned to Richland township four years later, and took
charge of the farm, and when his father died three years afterward, he bought
and moved upon the farm. In 1882 he was married to Isabell Clark, daughter of
Hugh and Deborah (Eccles) Clark, the former of whom is a cousin of John C.
Breckenridge. She was born in this county in 1845. They have two children:
Nellie C. and Viola May. Mr. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian church,
and of the G. A. R. He has in his possession, among other relics of the olden
time, a will made by James Rowland in 1762.