History of Centre and Clinton County, Pennsylvania, 1893



John Smith Biography

Adam Smith, father of John W. Smith, was born in Dauphin County, and when quite young came with his parents to the West Branch valley, where the family settled upon what was then known as the "Monseytown flats," of this township. Adam Smith succeeded his father as owner of the Monseytown property, and remained. Upon it many years.

Here John W. Smith was born, Sept. 26, 1829. He remained on the farm until 1852, when he married and began business for himself as owner and proprietor of the "White House," located at the upper end of Monseytown flats, the property lately owned and occupied by Isaac Packer.

While acting as landlord he commenced dealing in square timber, which business he conducted more or less extensively until very recently. After remaining in the hotel four years he moved to Lockport, where he resided three years.

He then sold out and purchased the "Eagle Hotel," in Lock Haven, which he conducted four years, then sold it and bought the old homestead, and after living upon it two years sold it and moved back to Lock Haven, and took possession of the brick house on Main Street, which he had previously purchased of Isaac Packer.

At the end of four years he purchased the "Fallon House," in Lock Haven, where with his family he has since boarded, and which is now kept by his son-in-law, J. Schuyler, Jr.

In 1857 he was elected county auditor; in 1863 sheriff, and re-elected in 1869, serving in all six years. In February, 1873, he was elected mayor of Lock Haven, serving two years, and in 1876 was elected associate judge for a term of five years.

Source: History of Centre and Clinton Counties, Pennsylvania; John Blair Linn; Philadelphia; Louis H. Everts; 1883.












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