Smith family papers

Collection

Identifier: 00074

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of the business and farm records of George Anson Smith, his brother (Legrand J. Smith), and his sons (Fred, Azariel, and Frank R.), of Somerset, Hillsdale County, Michigan. George A. Smith owned several farms and with his brother operated two general stores and a grain exchange, which were later taken over by his sons. In 1856 he purchased the Gamble farm near Somerset and later purchased several other farms near it. In 1858 he and his brother built the brick store near the flour mill they had purchased in Addison, Hillsdale County, Michigan, and in 1871 George built the brick store in Somerset (see Smith, Howard Remus, The Azariel Smiths, Michigan Pioneers, and Their Descendants) (see folder 132 in box 1).

In addition to the farm and business records, the collection contains the papers (1859-1864, undated) of George A. Smith when he was postmaster of Somerset.

Dates

Creation: 1853 - 1927

Creator

Smith family (George Anson Smith, 1825-1885) (Family)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Biographical Note

In 1856, George A. Smith purchased the Gamble farm near Somerset, Michigan, and he later bought several other farms near it. In 1858, he and his brother, Legrand J., built a brick store near the flour mill which they had purchased in Addison, Lenawee County, Michigan. In 1859, George became postmaster of Somerset. In 1871, he built a brick general store there. Smith's property was later taken over by his sons, Fred, Azariel, and Frank R. Smith was President of the G. A. Smith Exchange Bank in 1893, with his son Azariel as cashier. After George's death, the farm was operated jointly by his sons under the name "Oak Hill Farms."