John C. Smith, a successful dairy farmer of Franklin, was born in this town, May 2, 1842, son of Charles and Jeanette (Mann) Smith. His father, who was a lifelong resident of Franklin, and owned and successfully conducted a good farm located in the southern part of the town, died in October, 1889. His mother, a native of Salisbury, N.H., had five children, as follows: John C., the subject of this sketch; Elbridge, who married Emma Calef, and died October 1, 1895; Warren, who died in March, 1883, aged twenty-nine years; Jane, who married Warren Webster, and resides at the homestead; and Charles, who was drowned in the Merrimac River in September, 1889, at the age of twenty years. John C. Smith’s mother is still living, and resides at the homestead with her daughter.
John C. Smith began his education in the common schools, and completed his studies at the Tilton Academy. He remained at home until after his marriage. Then, settling upon a farm on Smith’s Hill, he resided there for twenty years. About the year 1882 he moved to the farm he now occupies, and where he is largely interested in dairying. He owns two farms, respectively containing two hundred acres and seventy-five acres, the soil of which he has greatly improved. He keeps an average of twenty-five head of cattle, and carries on a profitable milk business in Franklin and Franklin Falls.
On January 2, 1862, Mr. Smith was joined in marriage with Vesta L. Shaw, who was born in Salisbury, May 14, 1838, daughter of Abram and Hannah (Fifield) Shaw. Her father was a native of Weare, N.H.; and her mother was born in Franklin. Her parents resided upon a farm in Salisbury for many years, and died in that town. They had six children, four of whom are living; namely, Amos F., Calvin G., Vesta L., and Amanda. Amanda married James Morrison, and lives in South Dakota. The others were: Adeline E., who married Adams W. Batchelder, of East Andover; and Mary Saline, who was the wife of Elbridge Gerry Emery. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had three children-Jabez R., Maud Eveline, and Blanche Ethelyn. Jabez R., born September 16, 1862, married Fanny Fellows, and resides in Franklin. Maud Eveline, who was born January 25, 1869, is now the wife of Walter Woodward, and resides in this town. Blanche Ethelyn, born August 1, 1883, died March 3, 1885. In politics Mr. Smith supports the Democratic party, but he takes no interest in public affairs beyond casting his vote. Both he and Mrs. Smith are members of the Congregational church.