My Genealogy Hound

RICHARD S. SMITH, a well known tin-smith of Gratersford, is a native of Montgomery county. He was born at Salfordville, March 9, 1855, the son of Daniel H. and Catharine (Swartz) Smith.

Daniel H. Smith (father) was the son of Frederick and Mary (Heitelbel) Smith, both of Montgomery county. The ancestor of the family settled in Montgomery county during colonial days, being among the pioneers who contributed largely to the growth and development of the community. Daniel H. Smith learned the shoemaker’s trade, and after he was married went into the business, and later became proprietor of a boot and shoe store, in which he continued until 1901, when he retired, and resides in South Bethlehem. He was born in 1830. In politics he is a Democrat, but always declined to hold office of any kind. He is a member of the Reformed church, to whose funds he is a liberal contributor. He has filled many offices in the church. He is a man of the highest integrity, his word being as good as his bond, to quote an old maxim. His wife died about 1873. She was the daughter of Andrew Swartz, a prominent and able farmer and member of the Lutheran church. The children of Andrew Swartz: Mary, Mrs. A. H. Gottshall; Harry H., a wheelwright, Norristown; Catharine (mother); George, proprietor of a hotel and later of a cigar box factory; Amelia, Mrs. Heitelbel; James, a hotel man. The children of Daniel H. and Catharine Smith; Richard S., subject of this sketch; Augustus, of New York city. Daniel H. Smith married a second and third time, but had no children by either of the last two marriages. He is again a widower.

Frederick Smith (grandfather) married Mary Heitelbel. He was a shoemaker by trade, and was engaged in that occupation for many years. Later he became a justice of the peace, filling that position a long time until his death, which occurred at Salfordville. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious faith a member of the German Reformed church, in which he filled many offices. His children: William, Jacob, Daniel, father; Valentine, Augustus, George, Kate, Mrs. H. Gable; and one who died in infancy.

Richard S. Smith was reared in Montgomery county, being brought up on the homestead farm until he was seven years of age. He was educated in the public schools of the township and the high school. After graduating from the high school at the age of eighteen years, he learned the tinsmith trade, following that occupation as a journeyman until 1876, when he enlisted in the United States army for a term of five years, and was detailed in the quartermaster’s department at forts, doing all of the government tin work. He was employed in different states as far west as Dakota and Montana, at Utah, Texas and at Presidio, California. In all he was engaged in the United States service for a period of six years, and in this time had a very varied experience. He was honorably discharged at San Francisco with letters of commendation from his colonel, captain and other superior officers. After his discharge he returned to his old home in Montgomery county, and soon afterwards engaged at Spring Mount in the stove, tinware and hardware business. He continued at that place for eight years, and in 1891 removed his stock and fixtures to Gratersford, where he now does an extensive business. In 1876 he married, and during his service in the west left his wife with his father’s family. He has been a very successful business man, and owns a good house as well as a business block in Gratersford. In politics he is an ardent Republican, but has been very modest in his demands for public position. He has been treasurer of the Gratersford Beneficial Association for some years, and since 1893 one of the managers of the Schwenksville Live Stock Insurance Company. He is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, of the American Mechanics, and of other secret society organizations. On September 11, 1897, he received from President McKinley the appointment of postmaster of Gratersford, which office he still holds, filling it with entire satisfaction to all his patrons.

The first wife of Mr. Smith was Elizabeth Reed, daughter of James A. and Polly (Smale) Reed. James A. Reed, father of Mrs. Smith, was a farmer and carpenter, and served in the army during the Rebellion for a period of three years, was honorably discharged, and settled in Montgomery county, where he and his wife both died. They were members of the Lutheran church. Their children: Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Smith; Sally, Mrs. M. Kehs; James and Samuel, carpenters; Maggie, Mrs. I. Shaner; Mrs. Kline, and Frank, a cigar maker. The children of Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Smith are six in number, as follows: Lydia, unmarried; Daniel, a blacksmith; Jacob, a tinsmith; Ella, Robert and Pauline, residing with their father. Mrs. Smith, who was a member of the Lutheran church, died in 1897. In 1899 Mr. Smith married Miss Lucy Tyson, daughter of William Tyson, a shoemaker by trade, who served as supervisor of the township for several years. He was a member of the Mennonite denomination, and died in 1902. The children of William Tyson: Lucy, wife of R. S. Smith; Anna, Mrs. C. Engle; Lizzie, Mrs. J. Bickel; Alfred, and Mrs. J. Undertuffler. The child of Lucy and Richard S. Smith is William McKinley Smith, born in January, 1900.