20th Century History of New Castle and
Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens

BENJAMIN C. SMILEY,

[p. 879] who for many years has been engaged in agricultural pursuits in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, comes of an old and well known family of that section. He was born on his father's farm near Slippery Rock Church, in Wayne Township, February 28, 1841, and is a son of John and Anna (Cunningham) Smiley.

Hugh Smiley, paternal grandfather, was born in Ireland, and early in life became a resident of Wayne Township, locating on what in later years was known as the Levi Ward place, a part of the old Chew estate. He and his wife were buried in the old Center Church cemetery. Religiously he was a member and elder of the United Presbyterian Church. He and his wife became parents of the following children: John; William; Andrew; Boyd; Samuel; Jane (Chambers); Ann (Donnen); Eliza, wife of Samuel McFate, of Mt. Jackson; Mary, wife of Joseph Mehard; and Rachel, who became the wife of Dr. Robert Cunningham, of North Sewickley.

John Smiley was born on the old Levi Ward property, now owned by R. B. Ward, January 14, 1805, and his wife, in maiden life Anna Cunningham, was born in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, at that time in Beaver County, May 14, 1803. Her father, Benjamin Cunningham, arrived in that township from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1796, whither he returned after locating a farm and erecting a cabin. In the spring of 1797 he moved with his family to his new possessions in Shenango Township, the journey being made on horseback. He was an elder in the United Presbyterian Church at Slippery Rock, which he helped to organize, and he and his wife, Margaret, lie buried in the cemetery at that place. They were the parents of the following children: John T.; Joseph; William; Benjamin; Anna; Nancy, wife of Jacob Houk; and two sons who died in infancy.

John and Anna (Cunningham) Smiley were married August 30, 1827, and became parents of the following children: Nancy, born September 18, 1828, married Elias Cunningham; Jane, born January 30, 1830, married Edward Yoho, who at one time was one of the commissioners of Lawrence County; Hugh Boyd, born September 18, 1833, married Mary Houk, was a soldier in the Pennsylvania Cavalry during the Civil War, and was a resident of North Sewickly; Margaret, born December 20, 1835; Martha, who was born May 9, 1838, was the wife of James Ramsey; Benjamin Cunningham; a twin to Benjamin C., who died unnamed; Ezariah, born May 20, 1843, was a soldier during the Civil War, and now resides in Mexico. He married a daughter of David Wilson; and Ann Eliza, born July 28, 1845, married William Cotterson, and resides in California.

Benjamin C. Smiley was reared on his father's farm, but at an early age became apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, which he followed some years. Prior to his marriage he spent several years at Rouseville, in the oil fields, and at that time was required to pay as high as $1 per bushel for coal. After his marriage he located upon his present place, setting up housekeeping in a log house. He later erected his present commodious residence, which at one time was struck by lightning, but not destroyed. The first barn built by him was fired by lightning and burned, and was replaced by his present barn. He is an up-to-date farmer and a successful business man.

Mr. Smiley was married January 1, 1870, to Miss Esther McQuiston, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth McQuiston, of Wayne Township, and the following children blessed their union: John, born September 7, 1871, married Anna Holtsbrook, and resides in Ellwood City; Nancy, born February 28, 1873, married William Goodman, and has a son, Benjamin; F. F. Smiley, born April 23, 1875, resides in Oil City, Pa.; Mary, born September 6, 1876, married Lawrence Shaffer and has the following children: Archie, Esther, Walter, Clarence, John Viola, and one who died in infancy; Esther Smiley, born May 30, 1878, died May 4, 1881; Sylvester, born August 4, 1882, lives at home; and Mattie, born May 17, 1885, married James Duncan and has two children, Clifford and Kenneth. They reside at Hazel Dell. Fraternally Benjamin C. Smiley is a member of Wampum Lodge No. 865, I.O.O.F. In politics he is a Republican.


20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908

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Updated: 19 Jan 2002