Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 23 October 2005

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1041

DAVID H. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Butlerville. Among the worthy old pioneers of this county, none are more entitled to mention than the old gentleman whose name appears above; warm hearted and genial of nature, he naturally puts all at ease who meet him. He is a native of Harrison County, now Lewis, Virginia, where he was born, Jan. 22, 1804. He came with his parents to Fayette Co., Ohio, when about 4 years of age; he remained for two years in this county, removing to Greene, where he resided until 1818. He then came to this county, settling in what is known as Salem Township. He attended school at Rossburg, enjoying the limited advantages of the common school system of those days. He learned the blacksmith trade, at which he labored for eighteen years consecutively. He was married three times, the first time Feb. 20, 1825, to Elizabeth Bennett, a native of the same county in Virginia where he was born, she being one year his junior. To these parents eight children were born-John, born Dec. 24, 1825, and married to Miss Runyan; Elias J., born Nov. 7, 1827, deceased; Valentine P., born June 7, 1832, deceased; David, born Aug. 11, 1834, deceased; Joseph, born Jan. 5, 1836, deceased; Thomas M., born May 13, 1838, deceased, and Alvah, born September 22, 1840, deceased. His wife died Dec. 16, 1840, and for the time being he was alone with the care of his family. He was married the second time Sept. 8, 1841; their children were George E., Benjamin F., Avilla and Polly. Mr. Smith was again called to mourn the loss of his wife, Aug. 12, 1853. He was again married December, 1853, to Mary C. Sluth, nee Cawblin, two years his senior, with whom he now lives. His father Caleb was a native of New Jersey, born July 26, 1771; he married Elizabeth Harlan, a native of Maryland, born in the year 1774. These parents had a large family-Elizabeth, Mary, Peter, Catharine, John, David H., Caleb, Nancy and Susannah. The old gentleman died after a long life of usefulness, Aug. 13, 1851, his aged companion Jan. 6, ten years later. He was of a good family, being a cousin to Commodore Perry, of the United States Navy. He was in the war of 1812, and his father took a prominent part in the Revolution. The present wife of Mr. Smith was a native of Washington Co., Penn. She came with her parents to Warren County in 1803. She was married first to Robert Sluth in 1820. Her father, Robert Cawblin, was a native of Chester Co., Pa., where he was born Sept. 1, 1773; her mother was born in New Jersey, Sept. 20, 1773; they were the parents of eleven children. Mr. Smith is a Democrat in politics, and held the offices of Township Trustee and Constable for thirteen years.