J. C. Smith
J. C. Smith, P. O. London, a prominent farmer and influential citizen of Oak Run Township, was born in Christian County, Ky., April 7, 1817. He is a son of William W. Smith, a native of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky about 1815. After the birth of our subject, he went to Rockingham County, Va., where he died in 1837. He married Elizabeth Chrisman, a native of Virginia, and daughter of Jacob and Barbara Chrisman. Mrs. Smith was the mother of only one child, our subject, and departed this life when he was but a few months old. The father then returned to Virginia, as previously stated, and Jacob C. lived with his grandmother till ten years of age. He was then taken by an uncle, with whom he remained till of age. He obtained only a limited education, and when twenty-three or twenty-four years of age, came to Ohio and engaged in mercantile pursuits at South Charleston, Clark County. He remained there nine years, and then came to Oak Run Township. He purchased what was known as the "Oak Run Mill," running it for eighteen months. The mill was then destroyed by fire, and Mr. Smith subsequently removed to London, and was there engaged in business for six or seven years. He then bought 228 acres of the old Chrisman land, and since added to it until it now comprises 260 acres. Mr. Smith formerly traded in stock, and deals largely in cattle and sheep. He has on the farm about sixty head of cattle and 1,100 head of sheep. He resides in a very neal and comfortable residence on the farm, and is a man well esteemed by his neighbors and friends. He is Republican in politics, and has officiated as Trustee and School Director in his township. He was married, March 14, 1844. to Amanda J. Evans, a native of Clark County, but reared in this county, and a daughter of Robert Evans (deceased). Nine children have been born to them, only two surviving—Peyton R., a farmer and stock-raiser of Douglas County, Kan., and William P., at home. Peyton R. married Mrs. Myra Clark. They have one child—Maud. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
From History of Madison County - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]