Extracted from book entitled " Biographical and Genealogical History of Cass, Miami, Howard and Tipton Counties, Indiana " compiled by Indiana University, 1898, Two Volumes. Loaning Libray : Indiana University Libraries, DDS, 1320 E. 10th # E065, Bloomington, Indiana 47405. (812-855-8229) Ariel 129.79.35.71 (Permission given to copy as copyright expired by Jane Goldsmith, Assistant Unit Head Email address: libils@indiana.edu ) Taken from Volume 2, pages 598-600 : HENRY W SMITH This gentleman is widely known as one of the early settlers and honored citizens of Howard county, and for many long years has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Clay Township. His well directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his sound judgment have brought him to a handsome property, and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished by the man of energy and ambition, who is not afraid to work and has the perseverance to continue his labors even in the face of seemingly discouraging circumstances. In all the relations of life he has commanded the respect and confidence of those whom he has been brought in contact, and the history of Howard county would be incomplete without the record of his career. Henry W Smith is one of the worthy citizens that the Old Dominion has furnished to the Hoosier state. He was born in Madison county, Virginia, October 19, 1817, a son of Fielding and Rhoda (Carpenter) Smith, natives of Virginia, where they spent their entire lives. The grandfather, William D. Smith, was a son of Downing Smith, of English descent, and the family was founded in Virginia at a very early day and became prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the state, owning large plantations, which they operated with slave labor. Fielding Smith, the father of our subject, married Rhoda Carpenter, the daughter of Samuel Carpenter, whose wife was a Miss Blankenbacker, both families being of German descent and farmers and slave-owners of Virginia. Fielding Smith was a soldier oin the war of 1812, always took an active interest in public affairs and supported the Democratic party. He died in 1829, at the age of 36 years, and his wife passed away in 1888, at the age of 91 years. She was a member of the Lutheran Church. In their family were five children : Henry W.; Mrs Harriett Utz, who died in VA. ; Mrs Susan Aylor, also died in that state ; and William and Fielding, who are residents of Virginia. Henry W Smith acquired his education in the subscription schools near his home, for at that early day the public school was not an institution of the country as it is today. He lost his father when he was 12 years old, but continued to live with his mother until he was 20 years of age. In 1837, he removed to Kentucky, where he secured employment on the farm of his uncle, Abel Carpenter. In 1840 he was married and then began farming on his own account renting land for 3 years, after which he purchased the farm on which he had resided. There he continued to make his home until, 1853, when he sold his property and came to Howard County, Indiana purchasing from Joel Grantham the farm upon which he now resides. He entered 160 acres, of which 30 acres were cleared, while upon the place was a small orchard and a log cabin. To this he has added from time to time until his landed possessions aggregated over 600 acres, but he has given 330 acres to his children, and retains 270 acres. His life has been a very industrious one, and with untiring energy he has performed the arduous task of developing new land and transforming it into richly cultivated fields. He has on the homestead about 200 acres cleared, ditched and tiled, and the well cultivated fields yield to him excellent harvests. He has upon the place a commodious brick residence, a large barn and other substantial outbuildings, and a good orchard yields its fruit in season. At one time he had over 10 miles of rail fencing upon his place, and at all times its neat and thrifty appearance has given indications of the supervision of a progressive and practical owner. Mr Smith was married in 1840, in Kentucky, to Miss Parmelia GARR, daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Smith) Garr, the latter a distant relativeof his father. Benjamin Garr was a farmer and slave-owner of Kentucky, became a prosperous man and spent his entire life in that state. His children were : W. W., a leading citizen of Howard county ; John W., who died in Howard county ; Mrs Smith ; Mrs. Mary E. Shrader ; Susan, wife of W. Kellar ; Winston B., who died in Johnson County ; Robert L., of Missouri ; L. C., a physician ; Benjamin F., of Kentucky ; and Priscilla, who became Mrs. Fenton, and is now deceased. The parents were consistent members of the Primitive Baptist Church and the mother died in 1884, at the age of 64 years. To Henry W and Mrs Parmelia (Garr) Smith were born 8 children : William W., a farmer of Miami county, Indiana ; Edwin, who died in 1893, leaving a wife and 4 children ; Nannie E ; Newton B., an attorney of Kokomo ; James P. (? Polk), a farmer of Clay Township, Howard county, married Lizzie P Wilcox ; George W., who is operating the homestead farm ; Emma D., and Fielding H., of Anderson, Indiana. Mr Smith is a consistant member of the Christian church. In politics he has always been a stanch Democrat since casting his second presidential vote. His first ballot, however, supported William Henry Harrison for the presidency. He has filled various township offices, including those of trustee and pike commissioner, and in all such positions has discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. Great changes have occurred since Mr Smith came to Howard county, for this was still regarded as frontier region at the time. Wild turkeys and other game could often be secured by the hunter, but the Indians had left for their western reservations. Much of the land however, was in its primitive condition, and the work of its development Mr Smith has borne an important part. He has always been interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, its progress and upbuilding, and is known as a public-spirited and loyal citizen. He has now passed the 80th milestone of his life's journey, and his, is an honorable old age, in which he receives the veneration and respect which should ever accompany advanced years. This is accorded him by reason of his well spent life, which furnishes many an example of industry, fidelity, and integrity that may well be followed by those of younger generations. COMPILER's NOTE : Fileding Smith, Sr. b 1703 VA d. 1829 ? VA married Rhoda Carpenter, 1798 VA - 1888 ? VA, a dtr of Samuel and Miss Blankenbacker, is this the same Samuel Carpenter, 1759-1811 VA, (son of William and Mary Wilhite) that was also married to a Dinah Christler ? Is this Samuel also the father of Sarah Carpenter, who married Laban Yager ? If so, I have his wife, Miss Blankenbacker, as Margaret Blankenbaker 1769 Culpeper VA - 1860 Madison, VA., can anyone help me confirm this and who were Margaret Blankenbaker's parents? I have another daughter of this Samuel Carpenter, 1759-1811, and his wife, Dinah Christler 1762-1836, as a Nancy Carpenter, that married Lewis UTZ. Does this connect to anyone? I am interested mainly in the SMITH families. Does anyone have the extentions on the descendants lines of the afore mentioned Downing and Wm D Smith families? Some online family trees show Fielding Smith's place of death in Hendricks, Indiana, and Rhoda Carpenter Smith's place of death in Missouri ??? Can anybody clarify any of this info, as this book source stated, they died in VA. ? My long time brick wall has been a Zebulon D Smith, b. 1759, NC or what was then Sullivan, VA, d 1832 now Sullivan or Washington, Tennessee. Married Sarah Dungan 1760-1860 she being born/died in Tennsessee, or say they say... I realize Tenn was not even a state at her birthdate, so am assuming it was VA?. No one in our lines knows what the D in his name stood for, his Rev War files do not enlighten us either... but what catches my attention, is the fact, that Zeb' s son, Jeremiah D Smith, removed from VA / Tenn, to Hensley, Johnson, Indiana, and we have numerous Fielding Smiths in his descendants. Maybe someone can give me a few leads, perhaps on who the parents of Zebulon D Smith parents were? Thank you for any help at all Tonnie