My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM M. SMITH, proprietor of the Howertown and Cherryville Creameries, has been engaged in his present business since 1884, and is making a success of the enterprise, manufacturing creamery butter of a high grade, for which he finds a ready market in Camden, Atlantic and Cape May, N. J., and also sells large quantities in Philadelphia. His plant is fitted with the improved trunk churn, which was manufactured by the Vermont Farm Machinery Company at Bellows Falls; an upright engine made in Erie, this state; and the Sharpless Separator. He turns out from twelve to fifteen thousand pounds of butter per annum, which is a decided increase over the amount manufactured prior to putting in the model machinery.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Germany, and was born in October, 1837, to William M. and Catherine Smith, also natives of the Fatherland. He remained in Germany until reaching his nineteenth year, in the mean time acquiring a fine education in his native tongue. Then, determining to try his fortunes in the New World, he embarked on a vessel at Bremen which conveyed him to London, England. After remaining there a few months, he took passage on the sailing-vessel “John Bright,” bound for the United States, and thirty-nine days later stepped foot upon the soil of the New World. He came direct to this state, has made for many years his home in Northampton County, where he first followed the trade of a butcher. Later he engaged in farm pursuits, which he has carried on in connection with his creamery ever since. He owns sixty acres of land, stocked with Holstein cattle, and in this branch of industry has been more than ordinarily successful.

In 1860 Mr. Smith purchased the leading interest in the Plainfield Slate Company’s quarries, now the property of the Northampton Hard-Vein Slate Company, of which he is Vice-President and a Director. He is also a large stockholder in the Pennsylvania Hard-Vein Slate quarries, which were opened in 1892, and are being successfully operated at the present time. To him is largely due the credit of helping to bring these valuable enterprises to their present state of perfection.

Our subject was married in 1863 to Miss Louise H., daughter of Jacob Kleppinger, now deceased, formerly a resident of this county. Socially Mr. Smith is a member of Allen Grange No. 975, at Jacksonville, Northampton County, in which he takes a great interest. He has his postoffice both at Weaversville and Seigfrled’s Bridge. In his religious connections he is a valued member of the German Reformed Church, which he serves as Deacon and Trustee. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, and since coming here has aided in numerous ways in the upbuilding of his community.