BIO:  John A. SMITH, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Carroll Township, Pg 88

JOHN A. SMITH, son of John Smith of Dillsburg, was born August 30, 1834, and is 
of German descent.  At the age of fifteen he began learning tinsmithing with his 
father, who died three years later.  John A. and his brother, Thomas, then 
continued the business until 1861, when John A. bought his brother’s interest.  
In 1873 his brother Andrew came in, but retired in 1876.  In 1872 our subject 
had enlarged the shop, and also built a residence for his mother near by; he 
also erected a dwelling on Main Street opposite the public school building.  In 
1864 he married Catherine, daughter of William Spahr, of Dover Township, and 
this marriage is graced with three children:  Laura, William and John.  Mr. 
Smith has been a successful business man and has filled various positions of 
public trust.  He served one year as chief burgess, and has also served as judge 
of elections and councilman, and has been school director nine consecutive 
years.  At present he is treasurer of the school board; he is also a stockholder 
in the Dillsburg & Mechanicsburg Railroad.