N. P. Smith, dealer in books, stationery, etc., Oakland; born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Jan. 6, 1847, where he attended school until 16 years of age, when he removed to Pickaway Co., where he attended school one year; he then attended at Delaware City, where he entered the Wesleyan University, where he remained eighteen months; in 1866, he located in Shelby Co., Ill., and for five years engaged from four to six months during the fall and winter in teaching school, and the balance of the season farming and dealing in farm implements and machinery; he then engaged in the book and stationery trade at Shelbyville with T. E. Lapham for a short time, when, in 1873, he located at Oakland in the above business, under the firm name of Lapham & Smith, continuing the same for six months, when he purchased the interest of his partner, since which time he has continued the business alone; his business card will be found in the business directory of Oakland, in another part of this work. His marriage with Minerva Gollogher was celebrated Sept. 30, 1869; she was born in Shelby Co., Ill., Sept. 9, 1847; they have four children now living by this union, viz., Orrin L., Jennie, Edith and Lucy.
