Woodson Smith
Peter Smith, the grandfather of Woodson Smith, was a native of Germany. He came to America near the close of the Revolution, settling for the first five years in Virginia. He then removed to Kentucky, and during his residence there, became personally acquainted with Daniel Boone of historic fame. Adam Smith, the father of Woodson, was born in Virginia, five years previous to the removal of the family to Kentucky. His wife was Ann Woodson, daughter of Judge John Woodson, of Kentucky. The Woodsons are of French descent. To Adam and Ann Smith were born two sons and two daughters, Woodson, Maria, Wesley, and Betsey Ann. He came to Ohio in 1821, aiid settled on the "Woodson Survey," near where his descendants now reside. The land in that section was then valued at $1.50 to $2 per acre. Adam Smith died in Iowa in 1860; his wife died in 1832.
Our subject was born in Ohio, February 11, 1821, and was educated in the pioneer school-house, with puncheon benches for seats and greased paper for window-glass. He was married August 16, 1843, to Henrietta Limes, daughter of William and Athalia (Doster) Limes, who were settlers east of New Martinsburg as early as 1811. Mrs. Smith was born in 1823. To their union was born two sons, Harvey, born July 8, 1844, and Leander, born October 4, 1846. Harvey married Levina Irvin and is a resident of Fayette County. He is the father of one son, Tucker, and one daughter, Lulu. Leander married Mrs. Henrietta Cox, nee Bennett. She died April 2, 1876, aged 31. To Leander and his wife two daughters were born, Delia, born February 11, 1870; Ella, born May 3, 1875. Leander is a member of the I. O. O. F., and served with credit in the war as a member of Company "I," 168th O. V. I., under Captain Lewis Painter. Our subject was one of the throng of adventurous spirits who sought the gold fields of California when the precious ore was discovered there. He left Ohio in March 1852, spent more than five years in the trip from first to last, and returned to his home in August, 1857. He recounts many thrilling stories of his experience in the cities of Mexico, Acapulco, Vera Cruz, and other important places visited by him and his party. He is a member of the F. & A. M. at Greenfield. Mr. S. built his present brick residence in 1876, at a cost of $5,000. He is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres of land on the Buena Vista pike, two miles east of New Martinsburg.
From R. S. Dills' History of Fayette County