Floyd R. Smidley
The occupation of the farmer is the most independent career open to the man of today. One of the youngest farmers of Marion township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Floyd R. Smidley, who is now renting one hundred and fifty acres of fine land from his father about one mile north of New Holland. His father is one of the most successful farmers of this county and is a man who has been a leader for many years in everything that pertains to the development of the township. He has inherited those sterling characteristics which has made his father so successful and the success which has attended his efforts thus far indicates that he will eventually become one of the substantial farmers of his township.
Floyd R. Smidley, son of George and Minnie (Whitmer) Smidley, was born September 30, 1891, in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio. His father was a native of Ross county, Ohio, while his mother is a native of this county. Both of his parents are still living in Marion township, where his father owns and operates the Elmwood Stock Farm. The reader is referred to the history of George Smidley. which is found elsewhere in this volume, for further information concerning the Smidley family. Floyd R. Smidley is the oldest of the living children born to George Smidley and wife, and one of four living children, the others being Roy, Iva and Gladys, and was born September 30, 1891. He received his education in the North Star and Gamble schools of this county, and early in life decided that he wished to follow the occupation of a farmer. As a youth he worked on his father's large farm during the summer vacation, and thus by the time he was of age was well acquainted with the various details of agricultural life. After his marriage, in 1913, he rented one hundred and fifty acres of land from his father, and is now tilling this in a way that shows him to be a progressive farmer and thoroughly in touch with the latest methods in tilling the soil. He gives most of his attention to stock raising and has been very successful along this particular line of activity.
Mr. Smidley was married August 16, 1913, to Artie Barclay, the daughter of David Barclay. David Barclay was a native of Ross county and lived there all his life, dying October 16, 1911. He married Jessie Hilton and they raised a family of six children, Clifford, Artie, Howard, Leota, Calvin and Gladys. The wife and mother still lives on the old homestead in Harrison township, Ross county. Mr. and Mrs. Smidley are loyal and consistent members of the Christian church, in whose welfare they are deeply interested. Mr. and Mrs. Smidley have a little daughter, Annalee. born July 29, 1914. Mr. Smidley is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Sons of Veterans. He is still a young man of clean habits and high character, and is well liked and respected by every one with whom he has been associated. Genial in disposition and kindly in manner, he makes friends wherever he goes with the result that he has a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
From History of Fayette County Ohio - Her People, Industries and Institutions by Frank M. Allen (1914, R. F. Bowen & Company, Inc.)