My great-great-grandfather, Edward Smith is listed as the first settler in
Starke Co IN in the county history. However, when I wrote a number of years
ago to the historical society, no one seemed to have any other information
about him. I wonder if by now the local historical or genealogical society
is interested in information about him or if others are searching for him..
from Centennial of Stark Co IN 1950 (LDS 977.292 H2s page 5
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT
Edward Smith, an Englishman by birth was the first settler in the county,
and located in the northeastern part of what is now Oregon township, in
1835, before the land in the county was subject to entry. Smith was
consequently elected one of the first Justices of the Peace...our
information would indicate the first settler in Starke County came to the
northeastern part of what is now Oregon Township in 1835. His name was
Edward Smith, and is listed as having held land in Section 1 of Oregon
Township. Others were to follow slowly. ...
In 1840 Edward Smith took the census, Neighbors listed around the Smiths are
William Prutt, Azariah Parish, Mehemiah Prett, William West, Nimrod West,
Andrew Chambers, William Lyner, Walter Livingston, Richard Smith, Peter
Wooden Arthur Maxwell, Samuel ... EDWARD SMITH Thomas Barton, Jacob Wagner,
John W Hopkins, Davis Howards, James Whited, Henry Garver, George Wilson,
Laurence Rebiers, George Osborn, Solomon....
Neighbors on 1850 Oregon Twp, Stark Co Census were Bookau, Thoon, Sult and
Eli Smith. the Bookaus were from OH, Eli Smith was born in PA.
Gayle