Smithville In 1876

( Originally Published 1923 )

In this brief chapter we shall take a glance at Smithville as it was in the year 1876. It was said at this time to have a population of about seven hundred people. It contained the following churches, viz., Methodist Episcopal Methodist, Roman Catholic, Universalist and Disciple, also a high and public school, two resident ministers, two public halls, a Mechanics' Institute, one wholesale and retail store, four merchants and general traders, three groceries, three hotels, two druggists and stationers, one gents' furnishing shop of boots, shoes and clothing, two boot and shoe shops, one grist mill, one carding mill, fulling and cloth dressing, one saw mill and shingle factory with planing machines, two pump factories, one pot and pearl ashery, two iron foundries and machine works, three plow makers, two carriage makers' shops, two coopers, one gunsmith, four blacksmiths, two tailors, two doctors of medicine, two artists, two tinsmiths, one cabinet and upholstering warehouse, two cabinet makers, two painters, one dentist, one watchmaker, two harness makers, one baker, and confectioner, two builders and two butchers.