1881 personal census, Sombra Twp, Lambton Co., ON, LDS 1881 census household record:
Smith Francis, M, Widowed, 45, born USA, origin: English, C Methodist, Farmer;
Alexander, M, 13, born Ont;
George, M, 12, born Ont;
Elizebeth, F, 9, born Ont;
Anne, F, 7, born Ont;
Florance, F, 5, born Ont.
St. Clair County, Michigan, its history and its people; a narrative account of its historical progress and its principal interests, by William Lee Jenks, 1912, pg. 605, 606:
GEORGE W. SMITH. Prominently identified with the growth and
success of St. Clair is George W. Smith, of the firm of Recor & Smith,
dealers in hay, grain, agricultural implements, general hardware and
automobiles. At the head of an enterprise which contributes materially
to the commercial prestige of the city, Mr. Smith is entitled to the
honors particularly due to the self-made man, his success having been
founded securely upon fidelity, loyalty and persistence, and by no means due to the assistance of indulgent fortune and friends. In the legitimate channels of trade he has won the success which always crowns well directed labor, sound judgment and untiring perseverance, and at the same time has concerned himself with the affairs of the community in an admirably public-spirited fashion. He has held the offices of alderman of the Second ward of the city of St. Clair, and is at present a member of the board of public works.
Mr. Smith is a native of Canada, his birth having occurred in Courtright, Moore township, Ontario, January 14, 1871, his parents being Francis M. and Elizabeth( Kerby) Smith. His father, who was a native of New York, went to Canada to purchase farming land, which at the time of his coming was cheaper than in the Empire state. In the schools of the Dominion young George received his education and his boyhood was passed amid the rural surroundings of his father's farm. At the age of fourteen years he bade farewell to his desk in the country schoolroom, for the family severed old associations and removed to China township, St. Clair county, Michigan, and engaged in farming.
George W. Smith can by no means look back over a pampered youth,
for at the age of fifteen years he was forced to start out independently to make his own livelihood. Being already familiar with the secrets of seed-time and harvest, the young fellow hired out as a farm hand, for the modest compensation of fifty dollars for seven months' work. Finding that he was not likely to become wealthy at that rate, he abandoned farming after a few years and secured a position on the boats plying the Great Lakes, this during the season of 1896. Coming to the conclusion that a sea-faring life was not exactly to his taste, in the spring of 1897 he came to St. Clair city and secured employment with the firm of Johnston & Recor, dealers in hay, grain, agricultural implements, etc. Later the firm changed to Recor & Son, and Mr. Smith continued as an assistant of the new firm. Proving faithful and efficient in minor capacity, he was given more and more to do and in the spring of 1909 he became a member of the firm, the name being changed to Recor & Smith.
Mr. Smith laid the foundation of a happy household and congenial
life companionship on January 30, 1911, when Miss Margaret A. Fraleigh, of St. Clair, Michigan, became his wife. Like her husband, she is a Canadian by birth, her birthplace having been London and her
parents Frank and Mary (Nixson) Fraleigh, both of Canada. Mr.
Frank Fraleigh is an electrical engineer and he and his wife both reside at present in St. Clair.
In politics Mr. Smith is to be found marching beneath the banners
of the Republican party and he is influential in party affairs. As previously mentioned, he is a member of the St. Clair county board of
public works and for three years was alderman from the Second ward.
He is affiliated with the time-honored Masonic order, and in the years
1908, 1909 and 1910 was master of Evergreen lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M.,
at St. Clair. He and his wife attend the Congregational church, of
which they are generous supporters, and enjoy the confidence and esteem of the community.
George W.
Smith
Elizabeth Smith ca 1872-
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