Ohio History Journal

492         Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

ZACHARIAH      T. SMITH.

[The following article is the expression of respect to the memory of

Z. T. Smith by J. L. Lewis and published in an Upper Sandusky news-

paper. Mr. Smith was for many years a life member of the Ohio State

Archaeological and Historical Society and was potently interested in

securing the proper legislation for the appropriation for the erection of a

building for the Society's Museum and Library.]

It has oft been said that, "'Tis not all of life to live; nor all of

death to die." And while many of us think little of this statement, yet

in fact, it is the real measure of our earthly existence. To live either

in the higher or lower type of animal life, is to eat and breathe and sleep;

to give to the organs of the body nourishment and strength and rest;

and so long as this can be done, we live. And in thus living only, we

do no more than the lower animals.

But we learn from that oldest of books, that in the later days of

creation, after all else was finished, God made man in his own image,

breathed into him the breath of life and gave him a duty to perform.

Hence 'tis not all of life to live. And we as human beings should not

take from the world its food and air, our sustenance, and give nothing

in return.

We owe to our Creator, our fellowman, to ourselves and to our

surroundings, more than to simply exist. All nature says to us, "Come

into my store-house and solve my mysteries." The soil says, "Study

my ingredients and there shall be a seed-time and a harvest;" the moun-

tains say, "In our depths are the products of ages, knock and it shall

be opened unto you;" the mighty ocean says, "On my bosom     I will

carry the commerce of the world, bring it unto me;" the rushing torrent

says, "I will not always destroy, but if guided aright, I will turn the

wheels of industry;" the babbling brook says, "I will water the hill-

side and the valley and the sunshine shall bring forth fruit and flowers

that will surround and beautify the home of man and the fragrance

thereof shall be his." So man, who may be the crowning glory of

creation, will be its greatest failure, unless he responds to the invitation

that on every side bids him to put forth effort and "ask, that he may

receive."

The good of the world today is measured by the efforts of men-

not every one, perhaps-but those who have striven to perform the duties

assigned by him in whose image we are created.

All can not do the same. It was not so intended; but each, in his

way, can, if he will, do some part. And of those who have lived in this

community, we find in the life of Z. T. Smith of Pitt Township, Wyandot

County, Ohio, a most representative example of willingness and work and

a life that is well worthy of imitation.

Born and reared upon a farm, in his boyhood days, he did not have

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Editorialana.                       493

 

the present school advantages, but habits of industry and determination

helped him to gain knowledge that may be found in other ways outside

of the school room, and in his mature years he grew to be one of the

best generally informed men in this part of the state and was considered

authority on many of the leading scientific and historical subjects of

the day, and especially was this true as to the lives and habits of the

early people of this and other nations.

He was a most patient and thorough student of nature, having few

equals and no superior in that line; was one of the early members

of the Archaeological and Historical Society of Ohio, and after years

of research, has secured the most valuable specimens in the state,

having hundreds of kinds of wood from the different countries of the

world, metals, rock, grasses, flowers and birds.

He was not a theorist, but a plain, unassuming, practical student

and one of the few men whose real knowledge was far in excess of what

he professed to know, and when asked by a friend how he had, without

special advantages, secured so much valuable information, modestly

replied that in early life he formed the habit of staying at home nights

and the time thus gained, in addition to rainy days, had given him the

opportunity. Thus while some live only, he has proven that 'tis not all

of life to live. And it is unfortunate that he did not become associated

with some leading institution of learning, and thus give to the world

more of the rare jewels of information he possessed, for like Lincoln

he knew much that colleges do not teach. Naturally enough, he loved

the forest, and with its depths, by intermingling of genius and industry,

he builded for himself and loved ones a most beautiful home, where, sur-

rounded by waving branches, singing birds and the rippling waters of the

nearby river, he communed with nature, and studied the beauties of

flowers and trees and plants. The birds were his companions and he

watched their coming and going, as he did the visits and departure

of his friends. He was an expert in the growing of berries, fruits,

trees and farm crops, and authority as judge of thoroughbred cattle, hogs,

sheep and chickens, all of which he raised on his farm. He was a most

valuable member of the Wyandot County Agricultural Society, a president,

and in other positions, and was statistician for the state society at Colum-

bus and the department of agriculture at Washington. He was greatly

interested in the schools in his vicinity, and, in remembrance of his

friendship to the Harpster village school, the scholars thereof placed

upon his casket a spray of flowers he loved so well, and which were

emblematical of the purity of his life. And not only was Z. T. Smith a

most desirable and interesting companion, but he was a public spirited

citizen as well, and in addition to his otherwise busy life, as member

of school-board, trustee, justice, land appraiser and in other ways for

many years, and in a most satisfactory manner, he gave his time and

talents to public good. And the higher offices of our state and nation

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494        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.   have been filled by men of less ability and less honesty of purpose than had he. As an official, he was wise in judgment, firm in conviction, prudent in policy; as a citizen he was the most desirable kind; a respected neighbor, and dutiful son, a devoted husband, a kind father, and his death will not only be an irreparable loss to mother, wife, son and daughter, but also to friends and community. He builded better than he thought, and his life and life's work stand an honor to his family, a valuable lesson to the public and an example of what others may do by industry and application. Well may it be written on his monument, "Here lies an honest man, one of nature's uncrowned kings, who gave to the world more than he took from it, and who was loved, respected and trusted most by those who knew him best." Zachariah T. Smith, born in Wyandot county, Ohio, September 10, 1851, died April 4, 1912, was married to Miss Sarah E. McClain October 5, 1875. Two children were born to this union, Jeannette, born August 11, 1876, and Paul, born November 8, 1880. The father of Zachariah T. Smith was David Smith (deceased), born in Wyandot county, March 9, 1820, was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Blackburn, a resident of West Moreland county, Pa. She was born June 5, 1829.

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