The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-07-31
STORY OF A, PIONEER.
Golden Wedding "Reminiscences of a


Old Time Cinctnnatian.
No. 25 West Seventh street is a neat two
story frame dwelling, owned and occupied by
one of Cincinnatis old pioneers, Henry r.
Smith. who with his good wife, but three years
younger than ne. are Waitfng cnees4uily to be
ssa a1ma at ses GSas app0hne hs G ps sTs M
morning and gathered the subjofned notes;
Heury II. Smith was born on the 12th day Of
jane, 1909, in Plymouth, England: When he
was I've years Of age his father brought his
August, 1874. On the 15th OF April, 1911, they
left New York for Cincinnati, coming in wag-
ons over the mountains to Pittsburg, and from
there to Cincinnati in nat-boat. The journey
between the two places lasted six days, which
was then the quickest trip that had been made
up to that time, In 1874 his father bought the
lot on Seventh street and made home, which
MIR. Smith now occupies and has lived here
just sixty -0ne years this fall @
When the property Was bought by the elder
Smith his friends told him he was getting too
far out Of town. The family used to sit In the
front door and watch the buzzards feeding on
the carcasses Of dead horses that were thrown
on the commons at what is now the corner Of
7th and Vine, then briar patch. THAT time
Walnut street was not opened above 7th. 1t
was then called Cider street, probably taking
its name because Of the existence Of large ap-
pie orchard on the southwest corner Of Colum-
the way, another old pioneer, MIR. John jack
son, was born just opposite tbis orchard In No
vember, 1861 Mr., smiths Father worked at
his trade Cabinet making) in little shop on
his lot, aud here Henry learned his trade, but
soon afterward worked at the carpenters
ber0h, and has continued that trade UP to
within few years.
In the spring Of 1921, Collins and JONES' man
ayers Of the Columbia-street Theater, on Col
umbia between Main and Sycamore, engaged
him as a stage carpenter, and he worked for
them during the seasons until Samuel Drake,
father Of Alexander Drake. succeeded them as
manager, for whom he still worked. The site
of the old theater is now occupied by tine store
of Mears Il Olhaber.
MI Smith was married to Elizabeth D. Ham,
at his fathers house, on the 3lst of July, lS!5,
by Rev. VIM. Burke, who lived on Vine.
between Fourth and Fifth, close to the church
stood originally on the ground now
occupied by the First Presbyterian on Fourth
street. Rev. Burke bought it, and had it moved
to Vine, where he preached for long time af-
On the ground from which Burke's frame
church stood-before the frame had been built
was the "rwo Horned Church," SO called
from Its having Two steeples. But before the
used to worship in little frame snanty which
they erected near an old corn mill run by
horse power. on Main, near Hopple's alley, on
the site Of which stands the warehouse OF Chat
field Il Woods.
Originally The south half Of the square
bounded by Main and Walnut, Fourth aud
Filth, was Dedicated to the use of the Pres
bytcrian Church; the north half was occupied
by the Court house and Jail. The former was
burned in 1919.
MIR. Smith remembers that when he first
came to Cincnnati, there were but three j.
story brick buildings in the town; one of them
was the Columbian Inn, southwest corner Of
columbia and Main; another, the Miami Ex-
porting Companys Bank, on Front, near Syc-
amore, and The third stood on the lot now COW
cred by the Spencer House, corner Front and
broadway.
He says in those days politics were not heard
of. mo log-rouing; NO conventions; candi-
iates stayed at home, and stump speaking
was unknown" Af Il
He be.onged to the Hose Company No. /, of
which John " Ayery was the first foreman.
In 1876 Mr.. Smith was elected foreman, which
,, sit.o on hc he'd about three years. About this
,ime he wen. to Louisville, where he lived
some time, but still ret ined his homo here.
He is o nelnber Of the Cincinnati Pioneer
Assoc atlor, orgaaized at tie DennisOn House
y NoyehlDer ~ ,506. lie says that since at
lime nearly 2oo o! the members have passed
away. s.y3
To-uay at their neat little home on Seventh |
street tais venerable gentleman and his ami |
/ bic wife Will c.leDfafe in a quiet way their |
xoiden w5tlding. SlN children were born to
hcm--only three of whom are now living. |
These ana the gfand children, eieven in num-
)eT, will meet the. 9 to cheer with their pres |
,nce and loving attenti0ns q couple o. guod uld |
lion seis that i'll the nature OF things mus svon
pass away. - tNs- .N