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Below is a family biography included in the book,  Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JAMES SMITH, of Easton, is one of the progressive and capable citizens whom Ireland has contributed to the United States, and who, through energy and persevering effort, have materially aided in the upbuilding of this country and the development of its material resources. Since 1850 he has made his home in Easton, and during the period of almost a half-century that has since elapsed, he has gained financial prosperity, and at the same time has become known as one of the honorable, genial and public-spirited men of the city.

Born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1829, the subject of this notice is the son of Patrick and Ann (Carpenter) Smith, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation. He received in his native land such educational advantages as the common schools afforded, but the wide range of information he has acquired is the result mainly of his unaided exertions and self-culture. He was a young man of about twenty years when, in company with his mother, he took passage on a ship for America, and landing in New York, soon came to Easton. In boyhood he had learned the trade of a stone-mason, which he has made his life work. For a number of years he has devoted especial attention to contract work, which he has carried on very extensively, both in this and other states. He built bridges over the Susquehanna River at different places, and also the bridge over the Connecticut River, near Greenfield, Mass., and erected a number of railroad bridges at different points. He had the contract for the masonry elevation of the tracks, of the New York Central Railroad in Rochester, N. Y.

As a citizen, Mr. Smith is interested in all measures pertaining to the welfare of Easton. He is a Democrat and is active in public affairs. In 1889 he was chosen a member of the Town Council of South Easton, in which capacity he officiated for one term. He has been a delegate to conventions, and served as an elector in the State Convention of 1880. He served in the Legislative Assembly of 1890. In religion he is a Catholic, and holds membership in the church at Easton. He is a Director in the Northampton National Bank, and Manager of the Northampton Fire Insurance Company.

In the autamn of 1858 Mr. Smith married Miss Mary Sharon, and they have had a family of eight children, named as follows: Bernard, James, John, Thomas, Joseph, Ellen, Mary and Rose. Bernard and Rose are deceased.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the book, Portrait and biographical record of Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties, Pennsylvania published in 1894 by Chapman Publishing Company. 

View additional Northampton County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Northampton County, Pennsylvania Biographies

View a historic 1911 map of Northampton County, Pennsylvania

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