Biography of Josiah H. Smith

Josiah H. Smith, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Trenton, Hancock County, son of Moses Smith, was born November 14, 1833, in the neighboring town of Eastbrook. His grandfather, John Smith, a pioneer settler of this part of Maine, came from Massachusetts with his wife and two sons, and, taking up a tract of wild land, cleared a farm, which at his death was divided between the two boys, and which is still in the possession of the family.

Moses Smith worked manfully in the pioneer task of clearing the land for cultivation during his boyhood and early manhood. On coming into possession of his portion of the property he continued his labors as a general farmer, and lived there until a few years prior to his death. Removing then a mile farther North, he there spent the remainder of his threescore and ten years of earthly existence. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Christina Haslen, twelve children were born; namely, Lucy, J. Madison, Phoebe H., Josiah H., Pamelia, Seth T., Julia B., Caroline N., Zelman B., Eben W., Moses C., and Mehitable. Of these Lucy, Phabe, Pamelia, Seth, Julia, and Mehitable are deceased.

Josiah H. Smith obtained a district-school education, and for some years after worked out as a farm hand or lumberman, until he had accumulated sufficient money to buy a farm. He moved in 1859 to the town of Franklin, where he continued in the lumber business for some years. In 1864 he enlisted in the First Maine Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the Rebellion, participating in several severe engagements, and being at the forefront all of the time during the siege of Petersburg. On being mustered out of the service he returned to Franklin, and, resuming farming and lumbering, remained there until 1883, when he bought his present fine farm of two hundred acres in Trenton.

Mr: Smith is a Mason; also a member of William H. H. Rice Post, G. A. R., of Ellsworth. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote in 1856 for John C. Fremont. From July, 1893, to August, 1895, he was Postmaster at Trenton. On February 4, 1855, he married Sarah M., daughter of John G. and Palmyra (Gould) Dyer, of Franklin, Maine. They have two children — Henry C. and Mina A. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith united with the Baptist church in Franklin, and both are members of the Lamoine Grange.

Source: Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Somerset, Piscataquis, Hancock, Washington, and Aroostook counties, Maine. Boston: Biographical Review Publishing Company, 1898.

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