BIO: Ralph P. SMITH, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 250, 253. __________________________________________________________________ RALPH P. SMITH, Cassville, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in Union township, Huntingdon county, September 7, 1854; his parents were Samuel and Catherine (Swope) Smith. The Smith family had its origin in "brave little Holland," and were accordingly Dutch. Levi Smith, grandfather of Ralph P., married Mary Pheasant, a lady of German descent. Born belonged to the thrifty and courageous pioneer families of Union township. Their children were: Samuel; George; Annie; Rosa E.; John P.; Mary; Isaac; James; Elizabeth; Abraham, who was killed fighting for his county in the battle of the Wilderness; David; Miles; and Leonard. Levi Smith was a farmer, and a sensible and faithful man in all relations of life. He was elected to various township offices; among the rest, to the important and responsible position of school director. He belonged to the old Whig party, and when party lines and names changed became a Republican. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was looked upon as a worthy example; was a class leader, a teacher and for some time a superintendent of the Sunday-school, and above all, so consistent in his life as to inspire confidence and respect. He died where he had lived, in Union township, in 1873, from the effects of an accident. His excellent wife, now an octogenarian, still survives him. Samuel Smith, eldest son of Levi Smith, was born in Union township, September 5, 1830. He was educated in the common schools of Union township, and at Cassville Seminary. He became early acquainted with farming in a practical way on the homestead of his father. He afterwards cultivated his own farm, containing 120 acres, in Union township, on which he made valuable improvements, building a fine frame dwelling, a barn, etc. In 1895 he sold that farm and removed to Brady township, where he bought another, consisting of 320 acres, on which he has made improvements, and which he is still cultivating. Mr. Smith is a stock raiser, as well as a farmer. A worthy son of his father, the respect felt for him by his fellow-citizens has led to his being elected to all the offices in the gift of the township. He is a Republican, and was elected in 1881 on the party ticket to the position of county commissioner. He was justice of the peace in Union township, and now holds the same office in Brady township. He is a member of the Methodist church, and in his younger days took a very active part in its affairs. Samuel Smith was married in Union township, to Catherine, daughter of David and Isabella (Wright) Swope, a well-known farmer of that township, and of German descent. Their children are: Ralph P.; Isabella (Mrs. Mattison Swope), of Union township; Jennie (Mrs. James Kidder), of Jackson township; Josephine (Mrs. Milton Myerly), of Union township; Harrison, in railroad business, married May Snowden; Clara (Mrs. Howard Laird), of Porter township; Samuel, farmer, of Union township; Julia; Edgar, farmer on homestead. The public and select schools of Union township afforded Ralph P. Smith his educational opportunities. At an early age he began farm business on the homestead. In his early teens he was a teacher; at the age of thirteen he taught for a term in Union township; the next year he was teacher at Springfield mines, Blair county, for a term; then one term in Penn township, and one term in West township. During the summers he perfected his own education by attending school. At eighteen years of age Mr. Smith rented a farm of 176 acres, in Cass township, for ten years, to which he removed. After his lease was out he bought the farm on which he now resides, and on which he has made some important improvements, building a fine dwelling, barn and other valuable additions to the convenience and appearance of the place. Mr. Smith also deals in live stock, that Mr. Smith's standing in the community is not inferior to that of his father and grandfather is indicated by the number of offices to which he has been chosen. He has been in the school board for several terms, and for nine years its secretary; also supervisor, tax collector, assessor, and for several terms auditor of the township. He is a Republican. He belongs to the P. O. S. of A., and to the Grange of Tod township. The experience of Mr. Smith speaks well for early marriage, where the choice falls upon a true "helpmeet." He was but eighteen when, on September 10, 1872, at Petersburg, Pa., he married Amanda, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Shock) Fisher. She was born at Pine Grove, Centre county, Pa., January 5, 1851. Her father was of German descent, a miller and farmer of West township; his wife's ancestry was also German; they were the parents of six children. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Smith are: Elmer, a farmer of Tod township, married Ella J. Wright, has one child, Edna M.; Lottie E., a teacher; Clement V.; Denver C.; Beulah M.; Carrie A.; William, still a child; and an infant, who died. The parents have spent a life of cheerful, diligent and successful labor together, and have well earned the comforts and pleasures they enjoy. Notwithstanding her large family, and the cares of a farmer's wife, Mrs. Smith has leisure to be a genial companion, and a member with her husband of the Farmers' Grange. Mr. Smith takes an active part in the work of his denomination, the Methodist; is a teacher and superintendent in the Sunday-school.