Myron B. Smith, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Myron B. Smith
MYRON B. SMITH. On January 15, 1812, George B. Smith was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and now a century later, two of his children are still living and in the midst of active careers. It is interesting indeed to contemplate the development that has taken place in the span of life of a father and his son. George Smith was wedded to Caroline Bard, also a Pennsylvanian, and they migrated to Ohio, which was out west at that time. Later, they came to Indiana, which was quite a wild region. Myron Smith was born in Wayne county, Ohio, three days before his father's fortieth birthday, and a year later the family removed to Porter county, where the parents lived the rest of their days. George Smith was a miller by trade and upon coming to the state he settled near Woods' Mills. He became one of the prominent figures in the history of the county, taking an active part in the affairs of the Republican party and serving many years as trustee of Jackson township. His family consisted of three sons and one daughter. Miss Sophia Smith graduated from the Valparaiso University and is now engaged in teaching in Illinois. Myron Smith is the only one of the sons who is now living. Dormand Smith died on July 4, 1901, and Homer, in 1908. Both were married and left families.
Myron Smith grew up in Porter county and attended its district schools. Later he spent one term as a teacher, but did not adopt that calling permanently. He had learned the milling business with his father and he followed this for eighteen years. Thus he became a practical miller, and as he was a farmer as well he was able to correlate his varied industries to advantage. Later Mr. Smith sold his farm and moved to Chesterton, where for a short time he experimented on different ventures, until he started his present establishment. Shortly after going into business he purchased the building which he now occupies and he now carries a general line, including dry goods, groceries, seeds and other varieties of merchandise. His other investments include the Home Waterworks and the Chesterton Cooperage and Lumber Company, in both of which he is a stockholder.
Mrs. Smith was born in Oneida county, New York, in November, 1854. Her maiden name was Harriet E. Hill, and her parents came to Porter county in the early days. Her marriage to Mr. Smith took place in 1876. Three sons and one daughter were born to this union, all now living and residents of the county. Harrison R. Smith, after finishing the course in the county schools, went into business with his father and he is still associated with him. He is established in a home of his own, which is presided over by Anna Morgan Smith, who has elevated Mr. Myron Smith to the dignity of grandparent to a lively grandson. Charles H. Smith is engaged in the clothing and gentlemen's furnishing business in Chesterton. He is a graduate of the eighth grade, as is Miss Carrie Smith, who is now at home. Fred B. Smith completed the high school course in Chesterton and is now a student in the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, a member of the class of 1915.
Like his father, Mr. Smith is a man who identifies himself with the life of the community in various lines, and who makes himself a power in it. Though preeminently a man of business, he has not on that account failed to do his part in public matters. The Republican party has in him an able supporter and an active worker. He has served as township assessor and as trustee of Jackson township for two years, and held the same office for four years in Westchester township. In the Masonic order, he belongs to Calumet lodge, No. 379, and to the Blue Lodge division of the order at Chesterton, Indiana. He is also a member of the Chesterton Chapter and of the Valparaiso Council. He has spent his life in the county, has given it the best of his service socially, commercially and politically and has contributed a generous share to its advancement.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 811-812
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook