Isaac Smith

Isaac Smith, farmer, section 30, Burdell Township, was born May 8, 1834, in Hurion Township, Wayne Co., N.Y. Daniel Smith, his father, was born i Ontario, and descended from New England parentage. He was a mechanic in early life, but entered the ministry, and although more than 80 years of age is still actively engaged in parochial labor, in Kansas.

Isaac's mother, Grata A. (Stage) Smith, was born in the State of New York, of New England parentage, and spent her whole life in the Empire State. She died in August, 1847, in Huron, Wayne County. Her six children outlived her, and are still living, with one exception.

Mr. Smith was 13 years of age when his mother died. Later, his father went to Wisconsin, where the son accompanied him and remained with him until he reached the age of 19, when he came to Manistee, Mich. Tjere was at that date - 1858 - scarcely a settlement at that point. He continued to operate there three years, meanwhile purchasing in Berrien County, 40 acres of land, located in Three Oaks Township. In June 1854, he settled on his farm, where he resided some years, and combined his farming operations with the manufacture of brick and tile. He enlisted in the 25th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was wounded in the lower right leg by a rifle shot, at Tibb's Bend, on Green River, Ky. He was sent to the hospital at Louisville, and thence to Madison, Wis., on sick leave, where he officiated as nurse, nearly a year, and was transferred from there to Indianapolis to guard rebel prisoners. He received his discharge July 8, 1865, and returned to Three Oaks, resuming his agricyltural operations. He was married Sept. 18, 1865, to Barbara A. Sevice. Their children are Mabel and Lucas H. In the spring of 1871 Mr. Smith removed with his family to Osceola Co., Mich., and entered a homestead claim of 160 acres in Burdell Township. The settlers were few in number, remotely situated, and the forest was unborken where he settled. He has improved his farm until it is one of the finest in the township, and includes 100 acres cleared and tillable land.

His first wife died, and he was again married April 21, 1878 in Dover Township, Lake County, Mich., to Mrs. Sarah E. (McNary) Hicks, daughter of Isaac and Lucretia (Rellyea) McNary. She was a widow and by her former husband she had one child, - James W., - born May 7, 1861. She was born in Binghamton, Broome Co., N.Y., Sept 19, 1840, and came with her parents to Chicago when she was seven years of age. They remained there but two years, becoming alarmed by the appearance of cholera. They went to Elgin, Ill., whence her father went two years later to Iowa. The family settled in Fayette County, where she was educated. She was first married at Brush Creek, in May, 1860. Her father is a farmer in Nebraska and is 73 years of age. Her mother died in Iowa, in 1868, at the age of 54.

Mr. Smith is a Republican in political sentiment, has been Justice of the Peace and held various school offices. The family attend the Christian Church, of which the parents are members.

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