Mrs Mary Smith, the spirit of self help, exhibited in the energetic action of individuals, ahs in all times been a marked feature of the American character and furnishes the true measure of our power as a nation. This independence of thought and action is not only a masculine characteristic, but is found adding dignity to womanliness. There are multitudes of women who are conducting business enterprises with marked ability or carrying on extensive estates with unusualsucces. Among these is Mrs Smith, who has passed the most of her active life in Independence Township, this county, and whose sanguine temperament and cheerful disposition win for her the respect of the community, while her life and character unconsciously propagate a good example for all time to come.

Mrs Smith was born in St. Johns, Lower Canada, Jul 13, 1847, and when only an infant, was taken by her parents to Lockville N. Y. She remained there a few years, and in 1853 accompanied her parents to this state, locating in Independence Township, this county. Her parents, James and Mary Morrison, were natives of County Wexford, Ireland, where they grew to years of maturity and were married. Soon after this important event they decided to emigrate to the New World and accordingly came to America in 1847. They sojourned for a short time in St. Johns, Lower Canada, thence removed to New York, where they remained until they came west to Michigan.

In the home of her parents Mrs. Smith was trained to a useful womanhood, fitted to bear her part in the battle of life. At the age of nineteen years she was united in marriage with George Urch, Their happywedded life came to a close JUn 30, 1885, when Mr Urch passed from the busy scenes of earth. Nine children had been born to them, six of whom are living namely; Anna M., born Oct 31, 1871; Gertrude I., born May 24, 1874; Daisy D., born Jun 9, 1876; Edith G., born Feb 18, 1878; James R., born Dec 9, 1879; and Lillian, born Nov 11, 1881.

On March 10, 1891, our subject became the wife of Jay M. Smith, and they now reside on her farm two miles north of the village of Clarkston. Her fine estate contains three hundred acres and is embellished with substantial outbuildings and a comfortable home, brightening the old homested by their presence. Her first husband, Mr. Urch, was born near Bristol, England, Dec 17, 1829, and came to America with his parents at the age of six years. He located on the farm which was always afterward his home and was among the earliest settlers of this part of Michigan. He contributed to the devlopment of the community, enabled him to surmount diffculties of no ordinary kind in subduing the primitive soil. He passed away mourned by his many friends and leaving behind him a character for Probity and honesty which is the precious inheritance of his children.