Thomas J. Smith
Joseph P. Smith, the father of Thomas J. Smith, was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1797, and came to this state in the year 1812. He was by trade a shoemaker. He was married, in 1822, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Junk, one of the first settlers of Scioto Valley, where the city of Chillicothe now stands. Mr. Junk helped to raise the first house in Chillicothe. After his marriage, Mr. Smith and his young wife moved to Delaware County, this state, where for seven years he carried on a small farm, during which time three children were born to them.
In the year 1829, they removed to Ross County, where he bought and improved one hundred acres of land, on which he lived eighteen years, during which time four children were born to them, three of whom died. The remainder of their children, one daughter and three sons, grew to mature years. Finally, he purchased a farm of one hundred and nineteen acres in Madison Township, this county, where they closed their days.
Thomas J., the subject of this sketch, was born in Delaware County, this state, February 27, 1825. He was married, October 18, 1849, to Angeline, daughter of Noah Cory, of Ross County.
Mr. Smith rented a small farm and remained a resident of Ross County till 1853, when he bought sixty-seven acres of land, in Madison Township, in this county, upon which the family located permanently. At this time the surrounding woods abounded with wild game, and wild turkeys in great numbers frequently came among the domestic fowls about their humble abode. Vermin of various kinds prowled by night, and annoyed by day. Here Mr. and Mrs. Smith fought life's battles and achieved its victories through many tribulations. The chills and fever was a great affliction: wet seasons spoiled the fruits of their toil, and the frosts often swept off the labors of a season: but through all they triumphed, and now in tlie ripeness of their declining years, they enjoy a comfortable home of two hundred and thirty-six acres of well improved lauds. They had born to them nine children: Apphiah, born July 22, 1851; Lucretia Elizabeth, born August 6, 1852; Joseph Noah, born August 3, 1855; Mary Jane, born November 22, 1857; John Ellsworth, born September 15, 1861; Ida Angeline Louisa, born July 27, 1866; Eddie Cory, and Eva Gary, (twins,) born July 14, 1868; Calvin Emery, born July 1, 1872.
Nathan Cory, Mrs. Smith's grandfather, came to this state, in 1797, from Kentucky. Previous to this date he had resided in Virginia, and in emigrating to Kentucky, had descended the Ohio River in a pirogue sixty feet long. This was probably in 1790. Several families, twenty-seven persons in all, comprised the party. The men of the party traveled overland and suffered much for lack of food. They succeeded in killing a huge buffalo bull, from the flesh of which their hungry needs were supplied. His first location in this state, was near the site of Chillicothe. He afterwards located near Oldtown, where he passed the rest of his eventful life. When he reached his destination, in this state, his effects consisted of a wife and six children, a pony and a dollar in cash. The money was expended for a pack of salt. He was by trade a hair-sieve maker, but gave much of his time to other pursuits. He was for many years a deacon in the Baptist Church, and was afterwards ordained an elder. He was married three times; but his family of ten sons and two daughters were all children of the first wife.
The children of Noah and Lucretia (Shoots) Cory, were Sally, Ann, Hannah Jane, Solomon, Thompson, Joseph Benjamin, Angeline, John Nathan, Mary Ellen, Elizabeth,, Nancy Louisa, Julian Lucretia, William Noah, Landy Shoots, and Oliver Anson.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County