Cyrus D. Smith
As a native of Wayne county and a representative of one of the early pioneer families in this section of the Buckeye state, Mr. Smith eminently entitled to representation in a compilation which has to do with those who have been the founders and builders of this commonwealth, while such is his personal honor and integrity of character and such his standing as one of the successful and progressive men in the county that this consideration is all the more compatible.
Cyrus D. Smith was born in Canaan township, Wayne county, on the 20th day of September, 1852. His antecedents were Scotch, from which blood come many of the sturdy qualities which characterize him. His parental grandfather, James Smith, was born about 1770 and followed pursuit of agriculture during his active years. He came to Wayne county about 1820, his having been the fifth family to settle in Canaan township. Here he entered land from the government, and among a number of interesting and valuable old relics in the possession of the subject of this sketch, there is the following tax receipt, thought to be the oldest tax receipt in this county: "Received of James Smith $1.80, taxes on 160 acres of land. September 14, 1821." James Smith died about thirty years ago, never having removed the farm which he entered from the government. Among his children was Adam Smith, father of the subject, who was a native of Pennsylvania, but who was brought to Ohio with his parents when he was but an infant. Adam Smith too followed farming during his life and died at the Canaan township homestead and died at the Canaan township homestead about forty-two years ago, at the age of forty-six years. He married Tabitha Barnes, who was a native of Canaan township, her family having removed to this state in about 1830, coming from West Virginia. Her death occurred about eleven years ago. By her union with Adam Smith, she became the mother of the following children: Cyrus D., the immediate subject of this sketch; James, of Silver city, Idaho; one that died in infancy unnamed; Ada, who died at the age of twelve years; Mary who died at ten years of age; Andrew, who lives on the old farm in Canaan township; and Ella, who makes her home her brother Andrew.
Cyrus D. Smith spent his boyhood days on the parental farmstead and secured his education in the common schools of the township. At the age of twenty two years, he went into the sawmill and lumber business at Creston, in which he was engaged about a year. Then going to Orrville, he went into the same line of business, which he followed for thirteen years, meeting with fair success the meanwhile. On the first day of January, 1893, he came to Wooster and entered upon the discharge of his duties as sheriff of Wayne county, to which position he had been elected in the autumn of the previous year, as the nominee of the Democratic party. Mr. Smith served two years in this position, giving the office his faithful and painstaking attention and retiring from it with the commendation of all. After relinquishing his official position, Mr. Smith engaged in the coal and transfer business in this city, in which he has since been continuously occupied, meeting with splendid success. While living at Orrville, he had given efficient service to his township as trustee and also as a member of the Orrville city council. In every position in which he has been placed he has faithfully performed his part and has won and retains the high regard of all who have known of him and his work.
In 1874 Mr. Smith married Sarah E.Whonsetler, who was born and reared in Canaan township, the daughter of Philip Whonsetler. To this union five children have been born, as follows: Frank F., deceased; William M., who is associated with his father in business under the firm style of C. D. Smith & Son; Charles C., who is the proprietor of the London Tea House and Grocery at Wooster; Maud, who is the wife of Fred Shook, of Alliance, this state: Edith, who is the wife of Wallace H. Smith, of this city.
Politically, Mr. Smith is a stanch and uncomprising adherent of the Democratic party and gives it an active and influential support, being considered one of the wheelhorses of the party in this county. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, which order he joined in 1885 and in which he has passed through all the chairs of the subordinate lodge. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are well and favorably know and enjoy the warm regard of many friends.
From The History of Wayne County, Ohio, B. E. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, 1910