Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Harvey Smiley
History of Daviess Counties
Goodspeed Publishing Company 1886
HARVEY SMILEY, brick and drain tile manufacturer, of Odon, Ind., was born November 22, 1833, in Ohio, and is one of seven children of William and Elizabeth (Swighart) Smiley. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, a farmer and blacksmith by profession. He moved to the "Buckeye State" in his youth, and made his home in Tuscarawas County, where he died in 1848. The mother was of German descent, born about 1807. She is yet living. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on the farm, and in obtaining such education as the district schools afforded. May 22, 1856, he wedded Catharine, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Crout. Mrs. Smiley was born in Pennsylvania February 10, 1836, and became the mother of six children, three of whom are deceased. Those living are Milo, Evalena and William. Soon after his marriage Mr. Smiley purchased fifty-four acres of land in his native county, and began farming. In 1862 he sold this and bought a tanyard in Dundee, Ohio, where he worked two years, meeting with good success. In 1864 he sold his property and came to Daviess County, Ind., and built a tanyard in Odon, continuing fifteen years. He then returned to agricultural pursuits, and was a tiller of the soil about eight years. In the spring of 1884 he turned his attention to manufacturing brick, and in 1885 also began making tile, taking his son Milo in as equal partner. They do an extensive and paying business. They are enterprising business men, and although the establishment is new, they are doing well financially. In politics Mr. Smiley is a Democrat and cast his first vote for James Buchanan. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
Contributed by: Michael L. Tedrow