From Beers, 1880, History of Darke Co., Ohio, pp. 657-8
John Smith, merchant; P. O. Arcanum; one of the old settlers of Darke Co.; he was born in Adams Co., Penn., in 1828, and removed, with his parents, to Preble Co., Ohio in 1835 or 1836, and resided there till 1850, when he removed to Sampson, In Darke Co., where he remained about one year, thence to Arcanum, in 1851, and opened a store of general merchandise, it being the first store ever opened in Arcanum. The dimensions of this building were only 16×24 feet, and would present a striking contrast in comparison with his large, elegant and commodious store of the present day—the latter being 90×32 feet. Mr. Smith is one of the pioneer merchants of Darke Co., and has for thirty years been passing through the different phases of mercantile life, and by his strict business integrity and popular business habits, built up a trade that is second to none in Darke Co. He was united in marriage with Sophia McNutt in 1851; they were the parents of three children, viz., Milton W., Leonidas H., Theophilus D. Mrs. Smith departed this life Feb. 7, 1859, leaving a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn her loss; his marriage with Delia V. Bittle was celebrated in 1863; the children by this union were Edwin S., Bertelle L., Roy C., Maude C. and Mamie W.; the above are all living. The deceased, Elmer E., was born Dec. 4, 1864 and died Sept. 9, 1866. Mr. Smith is a song of Jesse and Christina (Dietrick) Smith, natives of Adams Co., Penn., both deceased; Mr. Smith died at the age of 69 years; Mrs. Smith at the age of 40.
thanks to cellis
Inscription
In Memory of Father, He Giveth His Beloved Sleep
In relation to the family business of the John Smith General Store and Grain, there was three sons of John and Sophia: Milton B 1852, Leonidas B 1854, and Douglas B 1856. We will write or post about each of the three sons in separate posts.
If you read the above bio from the Beers book, there is mention of the birth and death dates of John and Sophia as well as John’s second marriage to Delia who also was a partner in the business. They went on to have a number of children as well.
Some of the family members are shown in the photo below including John Smith, his second wife, Milton and L H Smith, Milton’s brother. Note: familiar Arcanum names include Maggie Gunder and Ida Fulton as well.
Milton was involved the most from what we have found or read concerning the store and his life. He was born in 1852 and married to Sarah Jane Sheeley. They had six children: Lawrence, Carl, Howard, Joseph, Grace and Mildred. Carl, Howard, Joseph or Joe and Mildred seem to be involved with the store. We will do some separate posts on Joe and Mildred as well as Mildred’s daughter and family, JoAnne Pleasant Hill of which most are familiar.
Per the newspaper accounts, we read the business was handed over to sons, M.M. Smith, H. Smith and T.D. Smith. It was started in 1851 and It was incorporated in 1890. For those not familiar with Arcanum’s starting history, it was founded in 1849. Milton then acquired all shares by 1909 and was assisted by sons, Joseph, Howard and Carl Smith. In addition they operated the John Smith Grain Company but separated in 1922. The elevator was later ran by Harold “Timmy” Smith the grandson of Milton. There was also a store in Gettysburg at one time.
After Milton’s death, which occurred in 1930, Joseph and Howard took over the store. Smith General Store included the first bank, was a post office, and a library in 1911 on the second floor. Joseph was the manager along with Mildred Pleasant. Mrs. Ada Smith (Howard’s wife) was the milliner who made the beautiful hats. She also managed the dry good section.
In 1951, the 100 yr. celebration of the store, we read the grocery was remodeled in 1950. They were still using the cylinder system to get change. JoAnne Pleasant Hill manages the grocery and her mother is everywhere along with Ada in the dry goods section. They employed 12 full time workers, along with after school help and also temporary help. Anything not sold was carried up to the second floor. Which eventually became part of the auction items when they closed.
We find different newspaper articles and photos which celebrated these anniversaries: 1926 was the 75 yr anniversary. 1976 the store’s 125th. 1981 the 130th year. In 1986 the general store closed. Then the Hill’s operated the building as an antique store with different vendors space. In 1995 the building was sold and an auction was held Memorial Day weekend. Inventory included union suits, parasols, silk gloves, Kewpie dolls, advertising posters, dress patterns, harnesses and 1877 school books to name a few things.
Most of these clippings came from the JoAnne Hill collection. We are working on several binders of their family life and the business and these will be available for research later this year at AWTHS during open hours, special displays or by appointment. Email or message AWTHS to inquire. awthsresearch@gmail.com Attention Annette Stewart.
Please follow AWTHS blog guidelines. Credit is to be given to Beers book as well as Find-a-Grave. Clippings and photos are part of AWTHS archives. They may be shared but credit is to be given to AWTHS and the writer. We prefer the article link be shared from our website or Facebook page.
