My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES M. SMITH. The official work of this gentleman has brought him before the gaze of the citizens of Lake Township, and in him his constituents have found a man of ability and integrity, and one whose activities have ever been for the good of the community. He is at present Supervisor of that township, and one of the leading farmers of the same. That he has inherited many of the most worthy qualities of his people is acknowledged, and his numerous friends testify to his honesty, kindheartedness and energy, he was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1842, and on his father’s farm in that county learned lessons of industry and honesty which have ever remained with him.

When seven years of age our subject moved with his parents to Berrien County, Mich., and received his scholastic training in the common schools of this county. As his youthful days were spent in assisting on the home farm, he became familiar with agricultural pursuits in all their branches, and when starting out for himself it was but natural that he should choose that as his calling. When twenty-one years of age he branched out to fight life’s battles for himself; first as a laborer, working out by the month, and thus continued until twenty-eight years of age. For three years after this he was engaged in merchandising. When thirty-one years of age he purchased eighty acres of his present farm, unimproved, and paid $20 per acre for it. Since then he has added to the original tract eighty acres, making one hundred and sixty acres in all, and one hundred acres of this are in a fine state of cultivation.

Mr. Smith makes no specialty of any particular line of farming, but raises all kinds of farm products. His property has been obtained by the sweat of his brow, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that it has not been obtained at the expense of others. The architect of his own fortune, Mr. Smith’s success has been won through hardships and severe toil. His liberal views, unquestioned honesty, and rugged common-sense have given him an influence far beyond that possessed by many more pretentious and prominent men. His father, John J. Smith, was a native of Lancaster County, Pa., of German parentage, and inherited all his thrift and energy from that source. His wife, the mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Margaret McLaughlin, was also a native of the Keystone State, and of Irish parentage. John J. Smith and wife were reared and married in Pennsylvania, where Mr. Smith followed agricultural pursuits for some time. Later they removed to Michigan, and in Berrien County passed the closing scenes of their lives.

The five children born to the above couple were in the order of their births as follows: George M., who resides in Buchanan, Mich.; Elizabeth, who became the wife of H. C. Leroy; Angeline, who married T. C. Hebb, of this county; Charles M., our subject; and Julia A., wife of J. W. Billings. Our subject was married in 1870 to Miss Minnie M. Hubbard, a native of Wisconsin and the daughter of Julius A. and Elizabeth (Adams) Hubbard, natives of New York. This union has resulted in the birth of three children: Ethie J., deceased; Laura A. and Frank J. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Congregational Church and is a much esteemed Christian lady. Socially, Mr. Smith is a member of Lake Lodge No. 143, I. O. O. F. He is one of the most enterprising men in Lake Township, and as an official is very popular.