Jacob C. Smith
The Smith family, now represented by Jacob C. Smith, one of the most substantial farmers of Paint township, this county, was probably the first family to locate in Fayette county on the present site of Washington C. H. Edward Smith, Sr., the grandfather of Jacob C. Smith, was born in Pennsylvania, married in that state and located in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1810, the same year the county was organized. He entered land along the waters of Paint creek, since called the East fork, and erected his rude wigwam in the midst of an unbroken forest. He commenced clearing and improving his land, but suddenly the War of 1812 broke in on his arrangements and, with his neighbors, he volunteered and served in the defense of his country. At the close of this war he returned to his home in this county and took up the task of clearing and improving his farm. Upon returning home one night from the county seat he attempted to cross a creek and was thrown from his horse and drowned. Edward Smith, Sr., married Margaret Casselman, in Pennsylvania, and to this marriage ten children were born, all of whom grew to maturity, married and reared families of their own. These children in the order of their ages are as follows: Sarah, Casselman, Mary, Susan, Rachel, Eliza, Selina. Edward. July and Maggie.
Edward Smith. Jr., was born in Pennsylvania and came here with his parents in 1810. He grew to manhood in Fayette county and married Nancy Kukel, and to this union ten cliildren were born: Mary, Jacob C, Richard, James Madison, Lewis, John R., Luther, Rachel, William and Noah. Of these ten children, Mary, Richard, John and Luther are deceased, while the others are married and have families of their own.
Jacob C. Smith, the grandson of the first member of the family to come to this county, was born in Union township, this county, July 20, 1835. He has been life-long farmer and it is his boast that for seventy years he has never lost a summer in the harvest field. He received a very meager education, since the schools of his day were limited in their instruction. He remained at home until twenty-five vears of age and then began renting land from his father. He moved upon his present farm, five miles north of Washington C. H., in 1873, and has now lived upon it more than forty years. As he has prospered from year to year he has added to his land holdings and now owns three separate farms, aggregating three hundred and four acres. One farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres is the one on which he is now residing; another of one hundred acres is near his own home place in Union township, while the other farm of eighty acres is in the same township. He has always been a heavy stock raiser, giving particular attention to the raising of hogs, in which he has been very successful.
Mr. Smith was married January 6, 1859, to Every MacLean, the daughter of Joseph and Lucinda (Bush) MacLean, and to this union were born seven children: Mrs. Luella Bitsen, who has one son, Willard; Mrs. Nancy Droce, who has two children, Emma and Howard, deceased; Mrs. Ida Baughn; Joseph E., who married Miss Swinehart ; Norman, deceased; Mrs. Mary Reed, who has two sons, Loren and Herbert ; and William. The mother of these seven children died September 7, 1890. She was a faithful and consistent memlier of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Smith, while not taking an active part in politics, is interested in all matters of local interest, and always lends his influence to aid in promoting the good of the community in which he has resided so long.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)