Lehman J. Smedley
This name is one known throughout Wayne county, for here Mr. Smedley has passed his entire life and here his parents resided for many decades. He has long been recognized as one of the leading agriculturists and business men of his locality, and for many years has held a foremost place among his fellow citizens. He has been faithful to his conceptions of the duties of citizenship, ever striving to advance of the interests of his fellow men.
L. J. Smedley was born in East Union township, Wayne county,Ohio, on the anniversary of our national independence, July 4, 1854, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine (Halfhill) Smedley. The paternal grandfather was Jacob Smedley, who, in 1826, came to East Union township, Wayne county, settling in the southeast corner of the township, he having entered the south east quarter of section 36. He first built a rude log cabin, in which the family lived for a while, but in due time this was superseded by a two-story hewed log house, in which he spent his remaining days. The subject's father afterwards possessed this old house, and after him it became the property of the subject of this sketch, but is now in other hands. Samuel and Catherine Smedley were both natives of Pennsylvania and accompanied their parents to Ohio in 1826, the father being at that time ten years of age. Samuel was reared under the parental roof and at his father's death he acquired the family estate, to which he added as he was able until eventually he was the owner of two hundred and fifty-one acres of as good land as could be found in the township. He was a hard-working and industrious man and stood high among his fellows. To him and his wife were born seven children, of whom one died in infancy and six are now living, namely: Cyrus S., of Paint township, this county; Aaron H., of Paint township; Mary, the wife of George Casteel; Susan, wife of Levi Arnold; Idell, wife of Albert Freed, of Oklahoma.
L. J. Smedley spent his youthful days on the home farm and during the winter months he was given the advantage of attendance at the common schools of the neighborhood. He remained as his father's assistant until he had attained his majority, when he started out on his own account, renting seventy acres of his father's land. He was successful in his farming operations and eventually acquired the ownership of the land. He is progressive in his methods and has realized a handsome return from his operations, being now in fairly comfortable circumstances. In February, 1901, he left the farm and located in the town of Apple Creek, where he has since resided. He has engaged extensively in the buying and shipping of hay, which he has found a lucrative business. He is also a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Apple Creek Banking Company. In all his business affairs he has shown a shrewdness and soundness of judgment that has given him a high standing among his business associates.
In politics Mr. Smedley is a stanch and uncompromising Democrat and was honored by election to the position of trustee of East Union township, in which he served for seven years to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Fraternally he is a member of Apple Creek Lodge No. 324, Knights of Pythias. Mr. and Mrs. Smedley are faithful members of the Apple Creek Presbyterian church, of which they are generous supporters, Mr. Smedley being a member of the board of trustees and superintendent of the Sunday school.
On the 14th of August, 1879, Mr. Smedley was united in marriage to Emma Lachat, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in November 1862. They have become parents of three children, namely: V. W., of Iowa; Madie, the wife of John Lechot, of Orrville, this county and Catherine, who died when seven months old. Mr. Smedley belongs to the public-spirited, useful type of men whose ambitious and desires are directed in those channels through which flow the greatest and most permanent good to the greatest number, and it is therefore consistent with the purpose and plan of this work that his record be given among those of other representative citizens of Wayne county.
From The History of Wayne County, Ohio, B. E. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, 1910