My Genealogy Hound

HON. AMOS SMITH. For many years, or since his location in this county, the reputation which Mr. Smith has enjoyed has been not only that of a substantial and progressive farmer, but that of an intelligent and thoroughly posted man in all public affairs. Agriculture has formed the principal occupation of this gentleman, and the wide-awake manner in which he has taken advantage of all methods and ideas tending to the enhanced value of his property has had a great deal to do with obtaining the competence which he now enjoys.

He is a native of the grand old Keystone Stale, born in Springfield Township, Erie County, August 7, 1829, and his father, Charles F. Smith, was born in the same township. The elder Mr. Smith was a farmer and always resided at his birthplace, dying there February 17, 1885, at the advanced age of eighty-two. His wife, whose maiden name was Emily Leech, was a native of Vermont, born in 1808. She was married in Erie County, Pa., and died there in 1889. Our subject’s paternal grandfather, Oliver Smith, was born in Ashland, Conn., in 1760, and emigrated to Pennsylvania about 1800. Of the eleven children born to his parents our subject was second in order of birth. His boyhood and youth were passed in his native county, and, like the average farmer boy, his early education was received in the country schools. In 1852 he took a course in the commercial college at Pittsburgh. Previous to this, in 1848, he came to Cass County, Mich., with his uncle, Joshua Leech, and remained in this State one year, after which he returned to his native soil. In the fall of the same year he went to Yazoo, Miss., and taught a five-months term of school there. Returning to his home in Pennsylvania in 1850 he resided there for two years, and taught two terms of writing-school. He also taught book-keeping, and subsequently finished his education at Clinton, N. Y. He began teaching when nineteen years of age and followed this profession for some time.

In the fall of 1852 he returned to Cass County, Mich., and was engaged in teaching and surveying, as he had made the latter a study, and was soon assisting the County Surveyor. Later he was made Deputy County Surveyor, and in 1854 he was elected to that office, holding that position and discharging the duties incumbent upon it in a very satisfactory manner until January, 1861. During this time, in the winter he was engaged in teaching the Spencerian system of writing. After being out of office one term he was re-elected Surveyor, served one term, and then refused the nomination for the next term, preferring to teach.

In 1855 he purchased forty acres of land and farmed the same in addition to his other duties during the years spoken of above. In 1875 the County Surveyor was killed and Mr. Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy until the next election. At the next regular convention he was again nominated, and later was elected, serving until 1883. In October of that year he was elected County Drain Commissioner, which office he held two years. So ably and well did he discharge the duties of the different offices entrusted to him, and so well were his services appreciated by the public, that he was elected State Senator in 1868, serving one term, as was customary at that time.

Mr. Smith has also been Supervisor of his township and has led a very busy life. He has had a great deal of guardian and administrator work to perform, besides his official business. Alive to matters of public importance, and deeply interested in the success of the Republican party with which he has always been identified, he is one of the most influential men of the county. His first Presidential vote was cast for Gen. Scott. Mr. Smith is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been Worshipful Master several terms. He is a member also of the Royal Arch Chapter at Cassopolis. The first Worshipful Master of his lodge, Mr. Smith has been chosen to represent said lodge in the Grand Lodge many times.

On the 22d of November, 1855, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Martha Jane East, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., and who died in Cass County, Mich., in 1882. Three children were the fruits of this union: Charles F., Fred E. and George D. Mrs. Smith was a devoted member of the Friends’ Church and for many years was an active worker in the same. October 4, 1883, he married Miss Sue Bogue, also an active member of the Friends’ Church. The forty acres of land first owned by Mr. Smith have since been increased to three hundred and fourteen acres, in three different farms. Mr. Smith has taken an active interest in educational matters, having had much to do in building up the Vandalia graded school, now one of the best schools in the county.