Richard O. Smith, formerly "mine host," of the Sidney House in Rochester, was born in Wayne County, this State, Nov 4, 1827, and was the son of Samuel and Marcia B. Smith, who were natives of New Hampshire and Connecticut, respectively. The father came to this state in 1821, and located in Detroit. He had previously worked at the carpenter's trade, but after coming west he devoted himself almost entirely to farming. He was of English ancestry, and his mother was a sister of John Rogers, who was burned at the stake for his religious belief.
Samuel Smith was first married to Hannah Holden, who bore him two sons, Samuel and Joseph. His secons wife was Hope Smith, sho became the mother of six children. The thrid wife, Marica B. Mahar, was the mother of eight children, but two only are living; Miss Hopa A. Lemon, of Shiawassee County; and Richard O., the subject of this sketch. JOnathan Hunt, a son of Samuel Smith's second wife, was reared by his step-father, and the latter's third wife. His step-father gave him $100, as he was taking provisions to soldiers on Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
He laid out the money in crockery, for which his step-father unbraided him, but soon returned home with twice the amount of money he had expended. He then invested in cotton and again doubled his capital. In spite of the expostulation of his step-father he continued this manner of trade and made a large fortune. He willed his estate in four equal parts to his step-father, a sister and two brothers. One of the brothers was insane and was in an asylum for fotry-two years. The amount devised to him was well invested and reached the sum of $6,000,000, a part of which eventually came into the possession of our subject, as he was a half brother.
Our subject lived under his father's roof until he was seventeen years old, hen went to Birminghm and served an apprenticeship of three years at the trade of a finisher and moulder. He worked at his trade a few years, then married and settles down to farm life in Livingston County. A year later, he removed to Wayne County, seven miles from Detroit, where he kept a hotel for twelve years. At the expiration of that period he came to Avon Township, and for a time occupied and operated a farm bequeathed to him by his father. He next went to Union Corners, and for eighteen months was landlord, then returned to the farm, on which he resided from 1865 to 1887. That year he moved into Rochester, and at a cost of $8,000 put up he hotel of which he had charge until his death.
The Date of the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Esther Anderson was April 11, 1850, Three children came to bless this union, but only the first born, Henry R., is now living. He is a farmer who is prospering in his chosen work. Joephine E. died in early womanhood, Mar 29, 1875, when she aged eighteen years six months and three days., Emma V. breathed her last, Nov 5, 1863, at the age of four years, three months and twenty-nine days.
Mr Smith took considerable intrest in political campaigns, and worked with and for the Democratic party. By virtue of the three marriages of his father, he was the uncle of a nephew seventy-two years old, and another 6 years old. He was a successful farmer, and a hotel keeper he is kindly remembered by those who have found rest under his roof, as he had the geniality that made them welcome, and he and his good wife supplied their table well kept the house in order for passing guest. Mr Smith died suddenly Apr 3, 1891, muorned by a large circle of relatives and friends.