James Smith, p. 1212

JAMES SMITH was born January 1, 1817, on the old farm in Washington county, where he remained until he reached the age of maturity. He is a grandson of Demas Smith, who emigrated to this country from Germany, and was married to Elizabeth Zook, a native of the same country. They had the following family of children: Betsey (Mrs. Johns), Joseph, Peter, Polly (Mrs. Iams), Susan (Mrs. Clark), Christopher, Hannah (Mrs. Huffman), Rachel (Mrs. Seales), Abram, Susan, Dennis, David and Catherine (Mrs. Meeks). Mr. Smith served seven years in the war of the Revolution, being among the band of suffering heroes who for the cause of liberty endured those terrible winters at Valley Forge. He entered Washington county about 1785, locating in West Bethlehem township, at the head of Daniels run. Here he resided two years, and then moved to Greene county, settling on a farm of 200 acres in what is now Washington township. He there passed the remainder of his life, dying about 1824 in his ninety-sixth year. In politics, he was an Old-time Whig.

Peter Smith, son of Demas and Elizabeth Smith, was born in the State of Pennsylvania (east of the mountains) in 1775, and in 1785 removed with his father's family to West Bethlehem township, Washington county. He remained with his parents (who afterward moved to Greene county) until he was twenty-nine years old, but had no educational privileges. In 1804 he was united in marriage with Priscilla Cooper, daughter of Moses and Sarah Cooper, of Amwell township, this county, and to this union were born children as follows: Dennis, Moses (deceased), Polly (Mrs. Garber), Peter, Betsey (Mrs. Riggle), Sally (Mrs. Potts, residing in Missouri), James, David (deceased), Mrs. Eunice Johnson (deceased), Hannah (Mrs. Hufford) and Priscilla (Mrs. Bealer). Mr. Smith was a hard-working and successful man, owning at one time 300 acres of land. He was a Whig, and took an active interest in the political affairs of the township and county. He and his father were for many years members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Smith died in 1840, Mr. Smith in 1848.

James Smith, son of Peter and Priscilla Smith received his education in the common schools of Washington county, Penn., and is fond of historical and current literature. In 1843 he was united in marriage with Margaret Johnson, daughter of Zenis and Sarah Johnson, of Greene county, Penn., and to this union were born two children: Johnson, a resident of McKeesport, Allegheny Co., Penn., and Sarah, deceased wife of Mr. Watson. After his marriage Mr. Smith moved on the farm he now occupies, which he purchased when his father died. His first wife dying March 4, 1871, Mr. Smith married for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Paul, widow of Philo Paul. In political affiliation Mr. Smith was a Whig, first casting his vote for Gen. Harrison, and since its formation has been an active member of the Republican party. He is much interested in local politics, and has been supervisor and school director for a number of years. He has been a valuable member of the Baptist Church forty-seven years.

Text taken from page 1212 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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