The bulk of the collection deals with Smith's activities as a sheep breeder for the five years, 1886-1891. Included are: 1) correspondence of inquiry; 2) advertising of his flock; and 3) relations with several agricultural and sheep breeding associations. Also included are Smith's activities in education and religion, i.e. speeches, school and church supply catalogers and the 1889 State of Michigan guidelines for training teachers during the summer. The collection also contains an 1891 biographical sketch of Smith's brother, Timothy, and 1875, 1895, 1915 copies of Howell township maps.

In addition, personal correspondence between family members, Smith's high school and college notes and three volumes are present.