The following was taken from Armstrong County History, published by The Armstrong County Historical and Museum Society, Inc. 1980 I am not doing the Smith line but thought someone might be interested since there were not too many copies of this book. Previously copied it for someone else. Sorry if it is too long. Hans Jurig Schmidt, (1717-1775). left the Rhine River area of Germany and immigrated with five brothers to the colonies in September 1738, aboard the ship "Winter Galley." They landed in Philadelphia, where the name "Schmidt" was changed to the English version "Smith." Hans Jurig, now John George in English, married C. Barbara Schaeffer and settled in North Hampton County. where they had six children. They were Phillip, Jacob. John George II, Leonard, Catherine and Margaret. John George was killed by Indians and his wife remarried John Dorn, and with all the Smith children, moved to Brush Creek in Westmoreland County, by foot and horseback across the mountains. John George II (1756-1826) married Elizebeth McAfoose (1759- 1845) and had children , one of which was John George III (1785-1877). It is family legend that several of the Smith children were killed or captured by the Indians in raids at Brush Creek, and one brother was killed at Fort Pitt. John George III was a woodsman, gunsmith and surveyor. employed by the Holland Land Company. He is reported to have surveyed property previously owned by George Washington at Perryopolis. He also surveyed in Armstrong County to which he later moved, to the area of Distant. John George later known as J. George Smith, married Catherine Nolf and settled in Eddyville. They raised eight children. one of which, was John Smith (1816-1875). John married Catherine Potts in 1839, and they had nine children, one of which was Samuel Smith (1842- 1919). Samuel served with the 78th Regiment. Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He was decorated during Shamans march through Georgia. Samuel married Rachel S. Bittinger (1851-1921) and they had five sons. They were Joseph, Charles, James C., Miles and Samuel M. Samuel owned a large farm near Eddyville and divided it with his sons. James C. (1874-1936), at an early age left the farm to be a woodsman and lumberman. and sold his share to Charles. Jim lived and worked in the virgin forest's of Armstrong, Clarion, Jefferson and Clearfield Counties, hunted and fished. He met Cora Belle Lattimer one time and married her Christmas Day 1913. They had four children, Roy L.,Wilbur J., Florence (Connor) and Violet May (Delancy). Roy L. (1-15-16, became a lumberman, and finally a water Well Driller. and resides near Leechburg on a small farm. Roy married Jean Lenore McCready (3-28-18) in 1937, a daughter of LeRoy and Mary Melissa (Elliot) McCready. of Logans Ferry. Pa. The McCready family dates back prior to the Revolutionary War. Roy L. and Jean have three children, James K. (2-l8-38), Marjorie A. (Iseman(6-l9-4l), and Wayne E (1-27-56). James R.. a woodsman by genetic characteristic, is a Conservation Officer, with the Pennsylvania Fish Commission, stationed in Armstrong County. He served with the US Marine Corps as a Corporal in the 2nd Division, from 1957-1959 and traveled in the Middle East. Wayne E. is a 1979 graduate of Clarion State College, with a degree in Communications. Marjorie lives in Monongehela, PA. James R. married Sylvia A. (Karpinski) (3-31-40) of Lower Burell, Pa. in 1958 and they have four children. They are Laura J. (Rupert) (7-21-59), James R. II (9-4-60), Robert J. (10- 23-61) and David J. (1-5-70). James R. II is aboard the USS Pensacola in the Mediterranean Sea, with the US Marine Corps. serving as a Corporal in the Second Division, as a communications officer. It is his second tour of sea duty. David J. is the last of the Smith family. Each year since 1949, a family reunion is held the second Saturday of July in Armstrong County for the descendants of John George Smith. Submitted by James R. Smith. Senior _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]