My Genealogy Hound

F. M. SMITH, Mt. Oreb. A little less than a century ago, where we now live in the enjoyment of churches, schools, railroads, telegraphs, daily mails, manufactories, National banks, and in fact nearly everything which tends to make up civilization, and to give to life enjoyment, lived another peculiar people, known as the red men of the forest. Here he pitched his wigwam beside the flowing stream, and the young Indian warrior wooed and won his dusky mate. Here the wild beast roamed at will, and was seldom molested in his forest home among the hills and along the valleys. Contentment reigned supreme and the Indian was monarch of all he surveyed. But at an unguarded hour the civilizer crossed the beautiful Ohio, pitched his tent upon its shore, and proceeded to take possession of the fertile spot now known as Brown County; and with the oft repeated blows from the pioneer’s ax the giant trees fell as doth the grass before the scythe. With strong arms and brave hearts, homes were established in the face of the savage and to the dismay of the wild beast, and now as we look upon the broad meadows covered with green verdure and golden fields of grain, and enjoy our pleasant homes, our hearts swell with gratitude to our fathers who braved the storms and disappointments of a then new and unbroken country, and established for us a free government. Among the early settlers of Brown County were Benjamin and Rachel Smith, who were both born in Maryland of Scotch and English parentage. From Maryland they emigrated to Kentucky, where they lived several years; in 1804, they came to Brown County, Ohio, and settled where Georgetown at present is built. They cast their lot with others who preceded them, and made a purchase of a considerable tract of land. They had nine children whose names were respectively James, Nancy, Benjamin, Rachel, Mary, Benton, Rebecca. Nicholas and Elizabeth, However, the father did not live long to enjoy his home; for, soon after the close of the war of 1812, he died, leaving his family in comfortable circumstances. The children proceeded to add to what was left them by their father, and gradually increased their possessions of this world’s goods. But that spirit which characterized their father was inherited by the children, and they began to think of pitching their tents toward the setting sun; so they continued to travel Westward until several of the families are represented in California. However, one Nicholas, the youngest son and father of the subject of this sketch, remained in this county. He was born in September, 1801, and when twenty-four years old, married Mrs. Sally Richards, a widow with two sons — John and William. They enjoyed the blessings of wedded life for more than half a century, when death called him away to the bright land above from whence no traveller returneth. He was the father of ten children, of whom four are now living — Alexander, resides in Illinois; James G., Rebecca J and Francis M., our subject, who still lives near the old homestead. Richard fell, defending the flag of the Union in the late rebellion, at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, in April, 1862. About 1830, Nicholas Smith moved to what is now known as Green Township, and began to establish for himself a home in the forest. He participated in the organization of the first Methodist Episcopal Church in the township, of which he was a member, also a member of the first Sunday school, and is said to have been the second Whig voter in Green Township. He had served as Justice of the Peace, and was respected and honored by all who knew him. His wife Sally, was born in Maryland April 13, 1800, and is of English descent. With her parents, Richard and Rebecca Spires, she came to Ohio in 1812. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church when first organized in Brown County. She is still living and enjoying good health at the ripe old age of eighty-two years. Their son Francis M., subject of this sketch, the youngest child and seventh son of the family, was born in Brown County July 10, 1844, at the old homestead, two miles north of Mt. Oreb. He received a good common school education, and when twenty years old began teaching school, which he followed for perhaps three years. When twenty-four years old, he went on a Western tour, visited a brother in Illinois and returned home in March, 1868. On February 16, 1870, he married Miss Sarah E. Rice, daughter of Benjamin and Eliza Rice, now of Clermont County, Ohio. At an early day, July 3, 1871, death entered his home, robbed him of the companion of his youth, and his home became broken up. On October 28, 1871, he formed with Joseph Clare, Esq., of Bethel, Ohio, a partnership in the mercantile business at Mt. Oreb, and continued therein six years, a portion of the time they having the only store in town. In April, 1875, our subject was again married; this time to Mrs. Mary E. Cochran, widow of the late John G. Cochran, son of Joseph Cochran, President of the First National Bank at Georgetown, Ohio. She was the mother of two children—Ella and Peggie. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Smith quit the mercantile business and retired to his farm north of and adjoining Mt. Oreb, where he now resides. He became identified with the Cincinnati & Eastern Railway Company, in the infancy of the enterprise, and was elected one of the Directors, and as such still officiates. He was also one of the incorporators of the Columbus & Ohio River Railway Company, and was elected one of its Directors at the first election held by the company, and now holds the office of Secretary. He has been repeatedly elected and re-elected to office in Green Township, notwithstanding his being a Republican and the township largely Democratic. He has also been connected with nearly every public enterprise which would prove beneficial to the township in which he resides. Mr. Smith has for nearly nineteen years been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church; has held nearly every office in the church, and has repeatedly been elected by delegate to the Annual Conference. He is now in the ninth year of his superintendency of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday school at Mt. Oreb, which is in a flourishing condition. He has one child living — Sallie V., born June 14, 1876. As a leading and respected citizen of Brown County, there are none who are more worthy of representation in this work.