Biography of Guilford Smith

Joshua Smith, the grandfather of Guilford Smith, and a native of Lebanon, New London county, subsequently moved to Windham county, Connecticut, where he was both a weaver and a farmer, and in connection with his trade wove cloth for the soldiers during the war of 1812. His children were three sons, Chandler, Charles and Marvin, and five daughters, Myra, Lydia, Laura, Emily and Mary. Charles, of this number, was born in Windham, and early learned the trade of a millwright. In 1828 he began the manufacture of machinery at Stafford Hollow, in Tolland county, and two years later, having built a foundry at South Windham, removed to that point, where he is still interested as the senior member of the firm of Smith, Winchester & Co., conducting a successful business under his judicious management. He married Mary, daughter of Moses and Tabatha Abbe. Their children are a son, Guilford, and a daughter, Mary, wife of P. H. Woodward, of Hartford.

Guilford Smith was born May 12th, 1839, in the town of Windham, where he pursued his preliminary studies, and completed his education at a school of higher grade in Ellington, Tolland county. Returning to Windham, he entered the office of Smith, Winchester & Co. as bookkeeper and draftsman, and early became so thoroughly identified with the business as to warrant his admission as a partner. Under his able supervision it greatly increased in proportions, and a demand for the products of the establishment was created in various parts of Europe, in Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and nearly all parts of the United States. Machinery adapted to the manufacture of paper is here produced, Mr. Smith being exclusively at- the head of this large industry. The subject of this biography, though not in any sense a politician, nor aggressive in his identification with local affairs, is nevertheless a strong factor in the republican ranks, and wields in his unostentatious way no little influence in the county. In 1883 he was the representative of his town in the state house of representatives. He is president of the Windham Bank of Willimantic, and director of other banks and business enterprises. In religion he adheres to the Congregational church, to which his generous aid is given. Mr. Smith was, married December 16th, 1863, to Mary, daughter of Thomas Ramsdell, of Mansfield, Connecticut.


Surnames:
Smith,

Topics:
Biography,

Locations:
Windham County CT,

Collection:
History of Windham County, Connecticut, Bayles, Richard M.; New York: W.W. Preston, 1889. Additions and corrections © by AccessGenealogy.com.

Search Military Records - Fold3

1 thought on “Biography of Guilford Smith”

  1. Cherrill Corby Lewis

    I am searching for the birth and parentage of a Daniel Smith born in Lebanon, Windham, CT 9 Jul 1761 and moved to Hamilton, Madison, NY where he farmed and died 7 Jan 1826. He married first Mercy Olmstead and second Lydia Beckwith Talcott in NY. I cannot find his family. It is a total road block. I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thank You.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

Scroll to Top