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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HENRY N. SMITH, a successful agriculturalist of South Hadley, was born in that town, September 7, 1826, son of Nelson and Rebecca (Smith) Smith. Mr. Smith’s grandparents were Josiah and Phebe (Nash) Smith, the former of whom was born in Hampshire County, December 6, 1761. He moved to Vermont, where he followed agriculture for a time, but eventually returned to Massachusetts, and died in South Hadley at the age of eighty-four. His wife, who was born in Granby, Mass., January 14, 1769, died in 1846.

Nelson Smith, Mr. Smith’s father, was born in Brookfield, Vt., May 18, 1801. He came to South Hadley when a young man, and successfully engaged in agriculture until his death, which occurred in 1879. His wife became the mother of five children, as follows: Harriet L., who died in infancy; Henry N., the subject of this sketch; William, who resides with his children in South Hadley; Jennie, who married J. E. Kellogg, and is now deceased; and Clara L., who married for her first husband Samuel Judd, and for her second J. E. Kellogg, and is now a widow residing in Holyoke. The mother died in 1882.

Henry N. Smith was educated in the schools of South Hadley and was reared to farm life. He resided with his parents until after his marriage, when he purchased his present farm, which consists of about fifty acres of well-located land, twenty of which are under cultivation. He has improved his property as rapidly as circumstances would permit, and now possesses a valuable farm, which he conducts with good results. He was formerly a Whig in politics, but has supported the Republican party since its formation.

On April 8, 1856, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Mary D. Cook, who was born in Hadley, February 12, 1829, daughter of Winthrop and Sophia (Smith) Cook. Mrs. Smith’s parents are now dead. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children, namely: Mary, who married John Barstow, and resides in Hadley; and Arthur N., who married Clara E. Montague, and resides in Holyoke. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Congregational church.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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