BIO: William F. SMITH, Centre County, Pennsylvania

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/
_______________________________________________ 

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.
_______________________________________________ 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, page 111

WILLIAM F. SMITH, prothonotary of Centre county, and clerk of the Courts of 
Quarter Sessions and of Oyer and Terminer, is one of the most able and 
popular officials whom the administration of county affairs has called to 
Bellefonte.  Born and reared upon a farm in Penn township, Centre county, he 
has from youth displayed the qualities which mark the typical American, and, 
by his work as a teacher and farmer in early manhood, he strengthened and 
developed those traits which have brought him success in a wider sphere of 
usefulness.
  Mr. Smith is of Scotch-Irish blood on the paternal side, but his ancestors 
crossed the ocean at an early date. Francis Smith, his grandfather, was born 
in Union county, Penn., but later settled in Penn township, Centre county, 
where he died at the age of eighty-two years. True to his descent, he was a 
forceful, independent character, and as an Old-time Democrat never hesitated 
to declare his convictions. The late John B. Smith, our subject's father, was 
a native of Centre county, having first seen the light in Penn township, 
October 3, 1824. He was a blacksmith by trade, and made his home at Millheim, 
where he departed this life October 18, 1892, leaving an honored memory as an 
upright man and faithful citizen. His widow, Mrs. Amelia Gilbert Smith, who 
was born in Snyder county, Penn., January 8, 1830, survives him and resides 
at Millheim.
  William F. Smith, the only child of his parents, was born February 3, 1851, 
and the district schools at Millheim furnished him an elementary education. 
Not content with that, he sought wider opportunities, walking a long distance 
morning and evening during three successive terms to attend Penn Hall 
Academy, and later he studied at Aaronsburg Academy, two miles distant. The 
County Normal School at Rebersburg, where he spent two terms. gave him 
special training for the work of teaching, and this calling he followed 
successfully for fourteen winters in succession. As indisputable evidence of 
his ability in this line we may mention that his work was done in his native 
township, among those who had no glamor of novelty to blind them in their 
criticisms, five terms being passed at Millheim Grove and eight in his home 
district. During seven years of this time he employed his spare moments at 
the blacksmith's trade, and he afterward engaged in farming, which he 
followed for about ten years. He has also been in the life-insurance 
business, and has traveled over several States in that interest. As school 
director and assessor of his township he did good service, strengthening 
public confidence in his ability, and when he was nominated for the office of 
prothonotary by the Democrats in the fall of 1892, he was elected by a 
majority of 805. He was installed January 1, 1893, and so well did he perform 
his duties that he was renominated by acclamation at the close of the term, 
and again elected.
  Mr. Smith married Miss Margaret E. Kimport, who was born in Harris 
township, Centre county, September 19, 1850. They have one daughter living, 
Anna M. Smith, Another, Mary I., passed from earth at the age of one year and 
eight months.