The Smith Story

First Family Reunion 1908

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The Smith Story: The Silas and Julia (Savage) Smith family journeyed for six weeks by two-horse covered wagon from Ontario County, NY to the Michigan Territory. They homesteaded in a log cabin on the old Absolom Owen property of 160 acres in what is now Section 33 of Bedford Township. Silas dammed Halfway Creek and established the first water-powered mill in the area. After the “Toledo War” of 1836, the home of Silas and Julia was bisected by the Michigan-Ohio line, which made for a unique condition. When their babies were born, depending upon their birthing room, the children were either Ohioans or Michiganders. Silas left for the California gold fields around 1850, never to return. He did send some gold back home with his nephews and the family has his last letter to Julia which is dated June 21, 1851. Of 12 children, only eight grew to adulthood. Today the descendants of Silas and Julia number in the thousands, and many still live in the area, keeping in touch through annual reunions, which began in 1908. The 100th Annual Smith Reunion was held on September 9, 2007.

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