History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 212 - 213

WARD P. SMITH

Ward P. Smith is now a resident of Grand Rapids, but through many years was very actively connected with business life and public affairs in Wexford county and has left the impress of his individuality for good upon many lines of progress and improvement. He is so well known in this county and has been such an important factor in her public life that no history of this section of the state would be complete without mention of Ward P. Smith. He was one of the pioneers of Wexford county and for many years witnessed its development and growth. Mr. Smith was born in the village of Otsego, Allegan county, Michigan, on the 6th of September, 1842, and was there reared to manhood. His father died when the son was eight years of age and the mother afterward became the wife of Norris Bullock. The subject continued to live with his mother and step-father upon the farm in Trowbridge township, Allegan county, there remaining until nineteen years of age, during which time he became familiar with the work of field and meadow as he assisted in the operation of the home place. To the common school system of that locality he is indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed. When a young man of nineteen years he enlisted for service in the Union army in response to the country's need, becoming a member of Company I, Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years. Going to the front with his command, he participated in the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, where he received a severe gunshot wound on the right side of the face, in consequence of which injury his eyesight was almost destroyed. However, as soon as possible he left the hospital and during the remainder of his term of service was on detach duty, spending much of the time at Camp Dennison, in Ohio, as hospital steward. He was mustered out of the service at Cincinnati, Ohio, and with a most creditable and honorable military record returned to his home. After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Smith went to Allegan county, Michigan, where he was engaged in farming for about two years in Trowbridge township. He afterward removed to Saugatuck, Michigan, where he was engaged in teaming for about one year. He then took up his abode in Heath township, Allegan county, where he was employed in the lumber woods at teaming for two years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode on a farm in Hopkins township, that county, where he remained until the spring of 1874, when he sold his farm and turned his attention to the milling business. It occupied his time and energies until the fall of 1875, when he arrived in Manton, Wexford county. There he entered business life as a merchant and for five years was thus connected with commercial pursuits of the city, but at the end of that time he was obliged to sell out on account of failing eyesight. About a year later he built an office and turned his attention to the real estate, land and collection business, at the same time acting as justice of the peace. In his new venture he continued until 1886, when he removed to Grand Rapids and soon afterward he took up hisabode where he now resides, at No. 491 North Diamond street. He is now engaged in fruit growing on a large scale and finds it a profitable source of income. Michigan is one of the best fruit growing states in the Union and Mr. Smith is wise in making this his business, for through his capable management and enterprise he finds that it returns to him a good income. Mr. Smith left behind him many friends in Manton, but the ties of friendship were not severed by his removal and he receives hearty greeting upon his frequent returns to the town in which he lived for a number of years. While residing here he not only acted as justice of the peace, but was also supervisor of Cedar Creek township. He was also one of the organizers of the town of Manton and was appointed by the governor to the position of chairman of the first election board. He was also county superintendent of the poor and was president and treasurer of the village. He acted as a member of the school board and in all of these offices discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity that won him the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellow men. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, for he is a man of sterling integrity and honor. His political support has been given to the Republican and to the Prohibition parties. Mr. Smith was married in Otsego, Allegan county, Michigan, December 3, 1865, to Miss Mary J. Wood, who was born July 1, 1850, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Ezekiel and Lavina (Holley) Wood, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state. The marriage of the subject and his wife has been blessed with seven children: Estella C., who died when fifteen years of age; Freddie, who died at the age of thirteen years; Arthur, who is now a merchant of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Giles A., who died when about nine years of age; George D., who is foreman of the mailing department of the Grand Rapids Evening Press; Frank, a stenographer; and William R., who completes the family. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have for a number of years been deeply and actively interested in church work. Their labors and influence have ever been helpful in that direction and they are worthy Christian people, whose lives are framed in accordance with the teachings of the lowly Nazarene. Their membership is with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Smith is a local preacher. Fraternally he is a charter member of Manton Lodge No. 347, Free and Accepted Masons, and he is also a charter member of O. P. Morton Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Manton, of which he served as its first adjutant. Such in brief is the life history of one who is very widely and favorably known in Wexford county. His interest in the county has ever been of a practical nature that results in direct benefit along lines of substantial improvement and material upbuilding. He has indeed many friends there and all who know him entertain for him warm regard.