Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 3 - Группа авторов - Страница 43

This prominent and representative citizen of New Castle township, Westchester county, now. filling the office of assessor, was born in Yorktown township on the 12th of March, 1831, and is a son of Samuel Smith, whose birth occurred August 15, 1797, on the old homestead where our subject now resides. The grandfather, William Smith, was a native of Holland, and married a Miss Vredenburg. They settled in this country prior to the Revolutionary war, and both died in York township at the ages of ninety and eighty-six years, respectively. They were most estimable people, and were identified with the Society of Friends. In their family were only two children: Samuel, and Rebecca, wife of John Brown.

Samuel Smith grew to manhood in Yorktown township, throughout life devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and was a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. He married Miss Jemimah Young, a daughter of James and (Baldwin) Young, and of the ten children born of this union nine reached man and womanhood, and four are still living, namely: Eliza, wife of B. Secoy; John B., a resident of Yorktown township; Oscar, our subject; and Eben, of Yorktown township. Those deceased are: Phoebe J.; Willet R. ; William, and James, who died in Tompkins county, New York, and was the father of two sons — William and Eugene — who served in the Civil war.

Oscar Smith was reared on the home farm, and pursued his studies in the neighboring schools. Going to Wisconsin in 1856, he taught school there for one season, and on his return to Westchester county made his home for two years in Bedford. In 1865 he located on the old homestead of his grandfather, which is pleasantly located only a half-mile from the Millwood station, and is supplied with water from one of the best springs in the county. Here he has a nice home, and is surrounded by all that goes to make life worth the living. In his farming operations he has met with excellent success, and is to-day one of the well-to-do and substantial citizens of his community.

On the 8th of June, 1861, Mr. Smith married Miss Sarah J. Sherwood, a daughter of Absalom and Harriet (Brown) Sherwood, of Bedford, in whose family were six children, three still living: Frances, wife of William Barnes; Sarah J. ; and Mary E., a music teacher of New York city. Those deceased are Charles W. , George E. and William H. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children, namely: Ella V., wife of Henry N. Merritt, of Yonkers, New York, by whom she had two children, — Maud and Clarence; George E. , who married Grace Brown, and is a floor-walker in Simpson & Crawford's store of New York city; Irvin E. , who is employed by the Metropolitan Traction Company in New York; and Minnie P., wife of H. E. Freeland, a railroad conductor, by whom she had three children, — Helen M., Edna May and Grace.

During his business career Mr. Smith worked for his uncle, E. S. Young, conducting a stage line in the city for a time, and also successfully followed teaching. He has ever taken an active interest in educational affairs, and for many years has efficiently served as a school trustee. He holds a membership in the Friends church, while his wife is a Methodist. Both are earnest, Christian people, and have the respect and esteem of the entire community in which they make their home.