This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Smick, Echer, Eckenrod, McBride, Lawrence, Bates, Bogardus Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/DWB.2ACE/132 Message Board Post: History of Ohio, Vol. III, Charles B. Galbreath. Chicago: The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925. JOHN H. SMICK, a veteran member of the Hardin County bar, who has been engaged in practice for nearly a half a century, has been a resident of Kenton since 1879. During this time this veteran of the Civil war has seen many changes come to pass in the community in which he arrived in young manhood, and has had his share in the general progress and advancement of the locality. Mr. Smick was born at Canton, Stark County, Ohio, January 29, 1848, and is a son of Solomon S. and Margaret (Echer) Smick. His paternal grandfather, a native of Pennsylvania, was married at Saville, Perry County, that state, following which he joined the popular migration to Ohio and settled in Stark County, where he cleared a tract of land and settled down to agricultural pursuits, which he followed until his demise. After his death his widow went to Indiana, where she passed away. Solomon S. Smick was born on his father's farm in Stark County, in 1825, and grew up in the vicinity of Canton, where he acquired his education. In 1863 he removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he engaged in wholesaling and retailing farming machinery and implements. He led a busy and successful career and was known as a man of sound integrity and ability. John H. Smick was reared in his native city and received a common school education in his youth. When he was but sixteen years of age he left the parental roof and joined the Union army, with which he served until the close of hostilities between the forces of the North and South. He then returned to Canton and resumed his education, but on February 10, 1867, took charge of his father's saw mill at Ada, Ohio. About this time he married Miss Hannah Eckenrod. While engrossed in the management of the sawmill Mr. Smick found time to apply himself to the study of law, and in October, 1875, was admitted to the bar. He began practice at Ada, where he remained until 1879, in that year being elected prosecuting attorney of Hardin County. Coming to Kenton, he filled the office satisfactorily for more than five years, then turning his entire attention to the practice of his calling. Subsequently Mr. Smick formed a partnership with Hamilton E. Hoge, in 1894, and this association ! continued until the latter was elected to the office of Common Pleas Judge in 1920. Since that time Mr. Smick has practiced alone, still controlling a large and important clientel, whose interests he safeguards faithfully. Mr. Smick's first wife died in October, 1916, leaving four children: Stanton, a resident of Chicago; Mary E., the wife of T.E. McBride, of Mansfield; Anna, the wife of Ralph C. Lawrence, of Worcester, Massachusetts; and Bessie, the wife of Carl D. Bates, of Rochester, New York. The present Mrs. Smick was formerly Miss Jessie J. Bogardus, of Kenton. Mr. Smick is a member of Latham Lodge No. 154, Free and Accepted Masons, and a past master of Ada Lodge No. 344; a member of Scioto Chapter No. 119, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is a past high priest; Kenton Council No. 65, Royal and Select Masters, past thrice illustrious master; and in Kenton Commandery No. 58, Knights Templar, he is past eminent commander. He is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, of the Valley of Toledo. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Smick acts as attorney for the First National Bank of Kenton and the First National Bank of Ada, and is vice president and a member of the Board of Direc! tors of the Dickelman Manufacturing Company of Forest, Ohio. [I have no other info on this family]