O. W. Smith
O. W. Smith, a member of the older body of professional men of Lima, who has been engaged in the practice of the law in this city since November 20, 1868, was born in Marion County, Ohio, March 7, 1832. His parents were John H. and Elizabeth (McNeal) Smith.
Mr. Smith comes of Scotch-English ancestry, although the family has been established in America for several generations. His parents were born in Pennsylvania; they removed to Marion County, Ohio, in 1831, since which time the family has been identified with the affairs of one of the most important States in the Union. The father settled in a rich farming and grazing section and lived there for many years, a successful agriculturist and stock-dealer. In 1845 he moved to Hardin County. Surrounded by good influences and in the midst of plenty produced by industry and frugality, a family of 15 children were born, all of whom reached maturity and the four who died first came to their deaths by accident. The parents of this virile family lived to a vigorous old age.
O. W. Smith was educated in the local schools and was afforded the best educational advantages possible in the locality at that time. For five years he was a student at Hiram College, of which the late President James A Garfield was the head. He taught school in the West for one year and in June, 1864, entered upon the reading of the law. Completing his studies in 1867, he was admitted to the bar, and in the following year established himself in Lima, where he is the oldest attorney at the present time. Here he has continued in practice for almost 40 years and is one of the best known attorneys before the city and county courts. His knowledge and experience make him one of the wisest counselors now in practice, and he has been markedly successful in a number of notable cases of litigation. He now occupies and office conveniently located at No. 52½ Public Square. His residence is located at No. 313 South Main street.
On June 23, 1874, Mr. Smith was married to Josephine C. Cunningham, only daughter of John and Emeline Cunningham, who were early pioneers of Lima, Mr. Cunningham settling here in 1832. The Cunningham family has a family record going back 800 years, while the Smith family trace their ancestry back prior to the Revolution, in which four of the family served. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four daughters Ethel, Helen W., Marian and Lenore. Mrs. Smith was one of the three first graduates of the Lima High School in 1864. After graduating, she was principal of the High School at Bellefontaine, Ohio, for seven years previous to her marriage.
From History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Edited by Charles C. Miller. Richmond & Arnold, Publishers, Chicago, 1906