LEMUEL R. SMITH, farmer and fruit grower, was born in Manchester, N. Y., March 31, 1815. At the age of eighteen years he removed to Adrian, Mich., and remained there twenty-five years, engaged chiefly in farming. Later he spent about six years at Grand Rapids in the nursery business. From there he came to Elk Rapids in 1855, and engaged for some time in keeping hotel and boarding-house. In 1860 he made a tour to California, spending some two years. After his return he served as state commissioner in the survey and opening of the State Road from Traverse City to Little Traverse, a distance of over seventy-six miles. On Sept. 14, 1838, he was married to Miss Philinda Morton, of Cambridge, Mich. She was a native of Mexico, Oswego County, N. Y. Mrs P. Smith
died in March, 1863. Mr. Smith's second marriage was on Sept. 16, 1866, to Miss Mary J. Davis, also of Mexico, N. Y. She was born in that place July 30, 1840. They have one son, Lemuel R.,and one daughter, Philinda M.

In 1869 they settled in Section 29, of Elk Rapids Township, where they still reside. Mr. Smith has 280 acres of beautiful farm lands, extending from Elk Lake to Grand Traverse Bay. He has about eighty acres under cultivation. He has a thriving orchard of 800 apple trees, besides pears, plums, peaches, cherries, quinces and small fruits. He has some seventy varieties of apples. He has an elegant residence, good out buildings and most desirable home surroundings. He has served as justice of the peace over twenty years; as supervisor about eleven years, and during one term has been judge of probate. He was supervisor when Elk Rapids Township was called Megezee, and belonged to Grand Traverse County. The lands in Antrim, Kalkaska, Otsego and (Crawford Counties were all under his supervision for assessment.