JOHN M. SMITHThis is from the Grant County History Book, the Biographical Memoirs section, pp. 819-820. John M. Smith was my husband's (Brad Hoggatt) direct ancestor. - Ruth Hoggatt John M. Smith, a venerable pioneer of Grant county, resides in the same house in Green township where he took up his residence forty-five years ago (1856) at the time of his settlement in the county. When he settled on this farm it was covered with a dense forest and much of it was so wet as to be called swamp land. This he cleared, drained and otherwise improved until it is now numbered among the better class of farms of Green township. John M. Smith was born in Adams county, Ohio, on the 4th day of October, 1817, being a son of Joel and Isabelle A. (McAdow) Smith, natives respectively of Ohio and Maryland. He received such educational advantages as the country schools of his day afforded, and was reared to the life of a farmer. He also learned the trade of brick laying, which he followed in connection with agricultural pursuits for more than sixty years. The 4th day of July, 1845, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Ann, daughter of William and Dorcas (Spurgeon) Nesbitt. Her ancestors resided in America for several generations and came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, where she was born April 13, 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of eleven children, viz.: Joel married Martha A. Miller; Isabelle D. became the wife of Robert Todd and died one year later; Mary E. became the wife of Morris L. Curless; Catherine Smith married Nathaniel Hoggatt; William N. married Eliza Phillips and resides in Elwood; Wealthy Ann is now Mrs. Elkannah Small; Marthia Sophronia is the wife of Nathan Hoggatt; Louisa C. is the wife of Marcus E. Parker; Susan Melvina married Charles F. Lawson; Electa V., wife of W.H. Friermood; and Matilda Ann died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are earnest Christians, holding membership in the Church of Christ. In politics Mr. Smith was for many years identified with the Democratic party, but for some time past has used his franchise independent of party ties. He was elected assessor of his township and so well did he serve his constituents that they continued him in the office for seven years. His career has been an honorable one and well worthy of emulation by his numerous descendants.
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