Philo R. Smith
15 May 1827-3 Oct 1906 |
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| Vitals |
Philo R. Smith was a native of Niagara County, New York. He was born 15 May 1827 the son of Russell and Betsey (Wiseman) Smith. In the spring of 1847 he married Betsey Baker in Cattaraugus County, New York. She was born about 1847 and was the daughter of Elijah Baker.
They had two children: Winfield S., born abt. 1848 and dead before 1894; and Emma A. born abt. 1854.
In the spring of 1889, Mr. Smith removed to Montcalm County, MI. He was married to Marion A. (Eckler) Leonard in Reed City, Osceola County, MI, 5 Dec 1889. She was born in Michigan 5 November 1847, the daughter of Ambrose Eckler and Mary Sanford. She had one son by a previous marriage, Irvin Leonard. She remarried after Philo's death to Hugh Hillis. Marion died in Orleans Township, Ionia County, MI. Her death certificate says she is buried in Greenville, MI.
Philo was postmaster in Wyman. |
| Service |
At the age of 37, in Burlington, MI, carriage maker Phio R. Smith enlisted on 23 Jan 1864. He began as a private and later was promoted to sergeant in Company H., 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Sharpshooters,1st Brigade, 2nd Division 9th A. C. He took part in the battles of Petrsburg, Spottsylvania, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Poplar Grove Church and the fall of Petersburg. In March of 1864 he was sent to the hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, and later transferred to Chestnut Hill, remaining for three and one-half monts, a severe cold causing abscess in the head. He was given a furlough in January of 1865 for thirty days, and then rejoined his command in front of Petersburg; was finally honorable discharged 11 Jul 1865 at Washington, D. C. |
| GAR |
Capen Post #161 |
| Siblings |
A brother, Daniel Smith, went out in the 105th New York Volunteer Infantry but nothing is known of his fate. The father of the first Mrs. Smith served in the same command as her husband, but he died at Camp Nelson in March 1864. |
| Records |
1850 Census |
Yorkshire, Cattaraugus County, NY |
wagon maker |
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1860 Census |
Burlington, Calhoun County, MI |
wagon maker |
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1870 Census |
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1880 Census |
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1890 Veteran Census |
Home Township, Montcalm County, MI |
Wyman |
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1900 Census |
Home Township, Montcalm County, MI |
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| Obit |
Greenville Independent, November 14, 1906
Deaths: Philo R. Smith, aged 79, postmaster at Wyman. He was a beteran soldier, a member of the 1st Michigan Infantry in the war of the rebellion. |
| Death |
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| Burial |
Vinewood Cemetery
Edmore, Montcalm County, MI
Find A Grave #152195216 |
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Some biographical information from Presidents, Soldiers, Statesmen Vol II, 1892. |
| contributed by Paula Johnson |