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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 157 - 158 |
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ALBERT L. SMITH
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With both the agricultural and industrial interests of Clam Lake township Albert L. Smith is identified and is a worthy representative of business activity here. Realizing that "there is no royal road to wealth" and that "there is no excellence without labor", he has worked earnestly and untiringly to win a comfortable competence and a creditable name in the business world. He now carries on both farming and lumbering, being engaged in the operation of a saw-mill in connection with the tilling of the soil. Mr. Smith is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred on the 23d of June, 1855, in Ontario county. His parents were Charles C. and Jane A. (Broom) Smith, who emigrated westward and spent their last days in Kent county, Michigan. Of their four children Albert L. Smith is the youngest, one is deceased, and the others are: Mary Jane, the widow of Robert H. Lewis, for twenty-nine years a resident of this county, and she has three children, Cary O., Albert L. and Emily I.; Charles C., a farmer of Osceola county, married Eliza Smith, and they have five children. The subject was hardly more than an infant when his parents left New York for Indiana and was a lad of only eight summers when they took up their abode in Kent county, Michigan, where he continued his education that had been begun in the schools of Indiana. In the summer months he worked in the lumber business, and was trained to habits of industry, economy and honesty. He continued his residence in Kent county, until 1890, when he made his way to Osceola county, but chose his location in Clam Lake township, where he has since made his home, having here a good farm of ninety-six acres of rich land. While plowing, planting and harvesting claims considerable of his attention, he also has other business interests, for he owns and operates a saw-mill and is thus engaged in the manufacture of lumber, for which he finds a ready sale. Industry is the keynote of his character and he places his dependence not upon speculation or upon any fortunate combination of circumstances, but continued, persistent effort, guided by sound judgment. In Osceola county, Michigan, on the 23d of January, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mahala A. Williams, a native of Wells county, Indiana, born on the 8th of May, 1857. She is a daughter of Francis M. and Mary E. (Richards) Williams. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary E. Richards, died in Wells county, September 23, 1873. Mrs. Smith is the eldest of the eight children born unto her parents, of whom the following are living: Mrs. Smith; John R., a farmer, who is married and lives in Antrim county; David H. Isaac N., of Osceola county; Joseph L., also of Osceola county. By her marriage Mrs. Smith has become the mother of four children: Lena, Guy L., Charlotte and Bessie E. The family is well known in Wexford county and the members of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move. During the thirteen years of his residence in this part of the state Mr. Smith has so directed his efforts that a paying business is now his and a good home property. Both his agricultural and industrial interests return to him a good income and he is known as a reliable man, the potent traits of his character being his perseverance and diligence. His beautiful residence was built almost entirely by his own hands, and in furnishing it in its present cosy style his wife has fully done her part. Their cash assets upon coming to this county were but eleven dollars, so they may justifiably look upon their subsequent success with a large degree of pride and satisfaction. |