My Genealogy Hound

HARRY H. SMITH, a hotel proprietor of Pottstown, was born May 27, 1844, in Philadelphia. He is the son of Henry H. and Elizabeth (Schallcross) Smith.

Dockery Smith (grandfather) was a merchant on Market street, Philadelphia, and lived to an advanced age. He was twice married, but had no children by the second marriage. He had three children by his first wife. In politics he was a Republican. He emigrated from England, and settled in America. Ezra Schallcross (maternal grandfather) and his wife Sarah (Kenton) Schallcross lived in Byberry, Philadelphia, where he was a wealthy farmer. He was a prominent Whig. His children: Emaline, Henrietta, Elizabeth and Morgan. His wife’s father was Ezra Kenton, who emigrated to America and was prominent in politics.

Henry H. Smith (father) lived in Philadelphia, where he followed his trade of morocco dresser. He retired from labor early in life. He was a soldier in the Civil war, belonging to the One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania (Bucktail Regiment). He was a Republican in politics. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian, but his wife was descended from Friends. He died at the age of sixty-eight years. She lived a widow ten years, and died at the age of seventy-three years. They are buried at Mount Moriah cemetery, Philadelphia. They had children of whom all are living but one: Lavinia, married Mr. Mars (deceased), who lived in Delaware county, where he was a merchant in milk, she surviving with a family of thirteen children; Elizabeth, married Mr. Dunn, they living in Philadelphia, where he was a blacksmith, they having five children; Morgan married and has several children, residing in Philadelphia where he also follows the occupation of blacksmith; Harry H., subject of this sketch; Norris, unmarried, living in Philadelphia, where he is in the livery business; Robert, killed in Custer’s last fight with the Indians; John, married Miss Danfield, living in Atlantic City, where he is an insurance agent, the couple having two children.

Henry H. Smith attended the neighborhood schools until he was thirteen years of age, and then learned the trade of house painter. He enlisted in the army during the rebellion, at the age of seventeen years. He was at first a member of the Thirty-third Pennsylvania Regiment, but was discharged from that and enlisted in the Second New Jersey Cavalry, in which he served two years and six months. After leaving the army Mr. Smith resumed his occupation of painting, which he continued five years. He was then employed at Philadelphia in one of the state departments. He went to Pottstown and engaged in his present business. This was in 1900.

Mr. Smith married, in 1871, Anna, daughter of Jacob Van Horn, of Bucks county, where he was a farmer. They have two sons: Melville V. Smith, married Hattie Nevegold, of Bristol, and they have one child, H. Lester Smith, born in 1897; Oscar G., married Susie Mauger, he being engaged in business at the Delaware House, Newhope, Bucks county, and having no children. Harry H. Smith is a Republican in politics, and had an appointment as tax collector. He also served as harbor master in Philadelphia, and has filled several minor offices. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, being one of the oldest members. He is also a member of the Veteran Association of the Second New Jersey Cavalry. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian.