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NAVIGATION
Michigan
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Clinton County
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Biographies at
Rays Place
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Rays Place
Also see [ Railway Officials in America 1906
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This gentleman, one of the leading agriculturists of Clinton County, was born in the town of Hector, Tompkins
Co., N. Y., April 20, 1830, and was the eldest in the family of Jonas. and Mary (Gilmore) Smith, which consisted
of six. The elder Smith was a farmer, and was born in Tompkins County. in 1807, and was married in February of
1829. In 1833 he removed with his family to Sandusky Co., Ohio, where he resided until his death. He was a man
of more than ordinary ability, and was one of the Prominent citizens of the county He held various positions of
trust and responsibility, notably among the number that of sheriff and county commissioner; the latter position
he filled acceptably for six years. He held the office of justice of the peace for eighteen years. He was an energetic
and successful farmer, and acquired a competency. James received a common-school education, and remained at home
until he was twenty four years of age. He studied civil engineering and surveying, and for several years was engaged
as a teacher. In 1854 he met his destiny in the person of Miss Rachel Short, whom he married in that year. Shortly
after his marriage, he purchased a farm, which be carried on in connection with that of his father. He took an
active interest in political matters, and in 1858 was elected county clerk. At the expiration of his term of office
he was re-elected. He discharged his duties with fidelity to the trust reposed in him, and with credit to himself.
In 1864, Mr. Smith disposed of his property in Ohio and came to Bath, where he purchased seven hundred acres of
land, which is a part of his present estate of twelve hundred acres, a large portion of which is under a high state
of cultivation. Since coming to Michigan Mr. Smith has eschewed politics, and has devoted himself to farming and
stock-growing. He has a large herd of Galloway cattle, of which he is said to be the largest breeder in the United
States.
Mr. Smith has devoted much time and study to the subject of draining, and is considered to be standard authority
on anything pertaining thereto. He is county drain commissioner, and in this capacity his services are of immense
value to the farming community. As a farm engineer he is undoubtedly one of the most proficient in this part of
the State, and his services are in great demand. He is one of the organizers and charter members of the Central
Michigan Agricultural Society, and has probably done more to advance its interests than any other member of the
organization. The society was born under adverse circumstances, and has had to contend with many difficulties and
embarrassments, and its success is largely attributable to the untiring efforts of its present superintendent,
James N. Smith. The exhibition of the centennial year was highly successful, and the officers of the society, business
men of the city of Lansing, knowing that it was due largely to the efforts of Mr. Smith, and to show their esteem
and appreciation of his services, presented him with an elegant cane suitably engraved.
Altogether, Mr. Smith is one of those leading spirits whose identification with any community is always productive
of good.
FROM:
History of Shiawassee and Clinton Counties, Michigan
With Illistrations and Biographical Sketches
of Their Men and Pioneers.
D. W. Ensign & Co., Philadelphia 1880
Press of J. B. Lippincoff & Co., Philadelphia.
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