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H. B. SMITH, a prominent citizen and Justice of the Peace of Creston, is a native of Southern Ohio, born near
Sandusky, July 9,1841. His father, William Smith, was a native of Connecticut, and a soldier in the war of 1812.
He was in the Ninth United States Infantry, and at the battle of Sackett's Harbor. Mr. Smith has the pocket book
his father carried in that war, and many other interesting relics. His father married Lucy Turner, a native of
New York, and daughter of Mr. Samuel Turner, who was a soldier of the Revolution. Mr. Smith's grandfather, Eri
Smith, was also a soldier of the Revolution; so that, as far as patriotism is concerned, he can claim as good ancestry
as the best. His parents had eleven children, four of whom are now living. He was the youngest except one. He lived
in Ohio until thirteen years of age, when, in 1854, the family removed to Illinois. His youth was spent working
on the farm in summer and attending the district school in winter, finishing his education at the Lombard University,
Galesburg, Illinois. He then carried on farming and also taught school in the winter for eleven years. In Illinois
he bought forty acres of land, which he improved by building, etc., and which he sold before removing to Southern
Nebraska. In that State he purchased a farm of 320 acres, which he also improved, building a house OE each quarter
section, and on this property he resided ten years. At this time, 1885, a throat trouble caused him to sell out,
leave his Nebraska home, and come to California with a hope of obtaining relief from his disease; and he has been
greatly benefited. He owns 306 acres of land, located 260 rods northeast of the village of Creston. Mr. Smith has
built on the crest of the hill and will soon have a very attractive home. He has planted a large variety of fruit
trees, comprising the following: prunes, apricots, pears, peaches, plums, figs, apples, almonds, nectarines and
also grape vines. Wheat is his principal crop, and in 1889 he raised 1,665 bushels on 105 acres.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage, in 1863, with Miss Emma Stone, a native of West Virginia, and daughter of Mr.
Anson Stone, a native of Virginia, and a soldier of the war of 1812. This union was blessed with nine children
five of whom are living, all natives of Illinois, viz.: Bertha D., Clark S., Fred H., Paul L., and Lillie M. After
eighteen years of wedded life, Mrs. Smith died. Her loss was greatly felt by her many friends and her bereaved
family. A beautiful character was hers; a devoted wife, a loving and indulgent mother, and a true Christian. She
had long been a consistent member of the Methodist church. In 1882 Mr. Smith was again married to Miss Lizy Nesmith,
a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, daughter of Mr. Thomas Nesmith. She is a member of the Methodist church. While
in Illinois, Mr. Smith was elected by the Republican party, Justice of the Peace, for the years 1870 to 1874. He
was also elected on the Board of Supervisors in that State. While in Nebraska, he was selected by his party to
fill the office of Justice, in 1875. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has since adhered to the Republican
party. In 1889 his fellow citizens elected him Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. Mr. Smith is a
careful, painstaking, conscientious officer, and as such is respected by all. He is a member of the Grange, and
is strictly a temperance man.
From:
A Memorial and Biographical History
of the counties of
Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo
and Ventura, California
The Lewis Publishing Company
Chicago 1891
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