Franklin Elliott Smith
Franlin Elliott Smith, a representative citizen of Orange Township, where he is engaged in operating a farm of 175 acres, giving the main part of his attention to dairying, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, December 3, 1861, and is a son of Horace F. and Maria (Elliott) Smith.
The family to which Mr. Smith belongs was established in Orange Township, Delaware County, by his grandfather, Benjamin Smith, who came here at an early day from Syracuse, New York. He was a carpenter by trade but he purchased the present farm in order to provide independence for his family, settling in the green woods and courageously, with his faithful wife, taking up the burden of pioneer hardship. Horace F. Smith accompanied his father to Delaware County, where he still lives. To his marriage with Maria Elliott, two sons were born: Franklin Elliott and Lewis M. The latter was born July 9, 1864. and is a farmer in Orange Township. He married Minnie Slain and they have three children. The father married (second) Mrs. Elizabeth Skeels, widow of Henry Skeels. During the Civil War he served in the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Franklin Elliott Smith was reared on the home farm on which he still resides and he has engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He has found dairying a profitable branch of the business and keeps from 17 to 25 head of cows. He raises enough produce to feed all his stock.
In 1885 Mr. Smith married Anna Withrow, who is a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Thornburg) Withrow. She was born and reared in Orange Township, her parents having come here from Morrow County, and her mother still survives. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had three children: Lila, who is deceased; Josie, who married Frank Holt, residing at Columbus, have one daughter, Florence; and Mamie, residing at home. In 1886, Mr. Smith came to the present farm to make his permanent home and here he has continuously Iived for the past 21 years. The house, with the exception of a dining-room, which has since been added, is the same as when his grandfather built it.
In politics, Mr. Smith is a Democrat and is serving his third term on that ticket as township trustee. Although the township is normally two to one Republican, Mr. Smith's popularity was shown at the last election for trustee by his receiving two votes to one of his opponent. In 1905, he served as a delegate to the State convention that nominated Governor Pattison and he has been a delegate to every county convention, with one exception, since 1896. He is a member of the beneficiary order of the Maccabees and carries a one thousand-dollar policy in that organization.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908