Biography of James L. Smith, pages 750 / 751.  History of De Kalb Country, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

James L. Smith, farmer, section 20, Richland Township, was born in Dalton 
County, Pa., July 13, 1837, a son of Joseph and Annie (Guist) Smith, natives 
of Pennsylvania, the father of English and the mother of Scotch descent, his 
paternal ancestors coming to America with William Penn.  In 1839 his parents 
moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated.  When he 
was sixteen years of age he went to Stark County, Ohio, and served a two 
years’ apprenticeship at the carpenter and joiner’s trade.  He then worked 
as a journeyman till twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in business 
for himself.  In 1865 he moved to De Kalb County, Ind., and bought 100 acres 
of land in Keyser Township, a part of which is now the town site of Garrett.  
He rented his farm and worked at this trade till 1875, when he sold out and 
bought the farm of 100 acres in Richland Township, where he has since resided 
and has given his attention to agriculture.  He has been successful in his 
business transactions, and has a good home, where he is surrounded with all 
the comforts of life.  Mr. Smith was married Oct. 4, 1858, to Amanda, 
daughter of Samuel and Leah (Baker) Shirk, who came from Lancaster County, 
Pa., to Stark County, Ohio, in 1846.  To them were born eight children---
Isaiah H., Elmer (deceased), Harrison H., Alice E., Ida W., Ella, Minnie, 
and Samuel (deceased).  Mrs. Smith died Sept. 6, 1877.  Sept. 13, 1878 Mr. 
Smith married Priscilla Wyant, a native of Champaign County, Ohio, born Dec. 
20, 1847.  They have had four children---Arta May, Cora (deceased), James M. 
and Frances B.   Mr. Smith is a member of the Garrett Lodge, No. 537, F. & 
A.M.  Politically he is a Democrat.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com