Smith, George Nelson, 1807-1881

George N. Smith was born, 0ct. 25, 1807, near Swanton, Vt., and died in Northport, Mich., Apr. 5, 1881. He learned the millwright trade, taught school, and studied for the ministry. On July 4, 1830, he married Arvilla Almira Powers of St. Albans, Vt. On May 8, 1833, they left Vermont for Michigan, and settled at Gull Prairie, where he taught and did carpentry work. On Feb. 5, 1836, he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of St. Joseph; on Jan. 13, 1837, he was appointed to do missionary work at Plainwell at a salary of $200, and was ordained April 7 as the first Congregational minister in Michigan. The following January he was appointed general agent of the Western Society of Michigan to work among the Indians. On Aug. 2, 1839, he settled near present-day Holland, where he worked with the Indians until 1849, when the growing Dutch settlement caused him to remove his charges to the site of Northport, formerly Waukazoo. Smith was a Whig and later a Republican; served as Judge of probate, treasurer of Leelanaw County, and in other capacities. Although at one time bitterly opposed to Masonry, he later joined and was buried with Masonic rites. He had ten children. (from Mich.Pio.Colls., XXX, 190-212 ; Wait-Anderson, "Old Settlers" ; Mich. Hist. Mag, I, 94-95 ; "The Traverse Region", 233ff.) (blue index cards)

From the description of George N. Smith papers, 1846-1916 (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 496279707

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