BIO: Elias E. SMITH, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  ELIAS E. SMITH, who materially assists in maintaining the reputation 
of Centre county as a first-class farming region, is carrying on his 
chosen occupation in Penn township. On February 22, 1848, he was born 
in Limestone township, Clarion Co., Penn., a son of Joseph W. and Mary 
(Armagast) Smith, who were natives of Union county, Penn., but were 
married in Clarion county. The birth of the father occurred in 1821, 
and when a young man he went to the latter county, where he followed 
his trade of shoemaking until 1861, when he removed to Stephenson 
county, Ill. There he operated rented land for ten years, and the 
migrated to Butler county, Neb., where he "homesteaded" 160 acres of 
raw land, on which he died at the age of fifty-two years; his wife died 
at the age of forty-six, and both were buried in Nebraska. He took 
quite an active interest in politics, always supporting the principles 
of the Democratic party by his ballot, and was called upon to fill a 
number of township offices.
  To the parents of our subject were born the following children: 
Catharine E., now the wife of Jacob Balliet, of Butler county, Neb.; 
Elias E., of this sketch; Jacob P., who died in childhood; Rachel, wife 
of William Woods, of Seward county, Neb.; George W., John C. and D. J., 
all of Butler county, that State; Mary, living in Polk county, Neb.; 
Mrs. Margaret Ruth, of Butler county; Daniel, a farmer in the West; 
Frederick, of Butler county; a daughter that died in infancy; and 
Sarah, wife of Edward Maize, of Butler county, Nebraska.
  At the age of seven years our subject went to live with a neighboring 
farmer, where he remained for eight years, or until his parents removed 
to Stephenson county, Ill., when he accompanied them. Up to this time 
he had attended school in Clarion county, and as he learned rapidly, 
acquired a fair education. In Illinois he began working by the month, 
receiving for the first year $20 per month, and for the five subsequent 
years, $25 per month. In connection with general farming he operated a 
thresher for his employer, and later purchased an outfit and engaged in 
threshing on his own account until the removal of the family to 
Nebraska. After eleven months spent in that State he returned to 
Illinois, where he remained until the fall of 1873. Coming to Centre 
county, Penn., Mr. Smith visited the widow of his uncle, Jacob Smith, 
of Penn township, who had recently died, and as she had no children of 
her own, was persuaded to remain and look after her farm. Two years 
later she became quite helpless, and for almost six years required 
constant attention. At her death our subject came into possession of 
the property.
  In Penn township, Centre county, June 12, 1877, Mr. Smith was married 
to Miss Mary, a daughter of Francis and Anna (Koons) Smith, and who is 
a native of that township. They now have a good farm of fifty acres in 
Penn township, and another tract of 120 acres in Gregg township, Centre 
county. She is a most estimable woman, and a sincere member of the 
United Evangelical Church. Mr. Smith manifests a keen interest in the 
success of the Democratic 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  463

party with which he has always voted, and on completing his present 
term will have served for ten years as justice of the peace in his 
township. He is industrious, energetic and progressive in his nature, 
and is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him.