This contains a transcription of the Ezra M. Smith of Peterboro, NH biography from Biographical Review Volume XXIII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties, New Hampshire, Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1897.
Pages 33-34
EZRA M. SMITH, a retired lawyer of Peterboro and an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born in Langdon, N. H., January 25, 1838, son of Orrin and Marinda (Patridge) Smith. His grandfather, Ezra Smith, who was born in Winchendon, Mass., September 13, 1778, settled in Langdon, N. H., and cleared a farm, which he occupied for the rest of his life. Ezra possessed much muscular bodily strength and a vigorous constitution, and was capable of considerable physical endurance. In politics he was a Whig and in his religious views a Congregationalist. His death occurred July 14, 1864. He married Hannah Henry, who, born in Vermont, August 10, 1779, died June 25, 1850. She was the mother of five children, none of whom are living.
Orrin Smith, father of Ezra M., was born one of twins in Langdon, November 11, 1807. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and resided at the homestead for some years after attaining his majority. In 1862 he came to Peterboro, and purchased a farm, which he cultivated with energy during the rest of his active period. He died August 6, 1883. Originally a Whig in politics, he later became a Republican. His wife, Marinda, who he married June 9, 1836, was also one of twins. Her father was Sylvester Patridge, of Alstead, N. H. She became the mother of seven children, six of whom are living, namely: Ezra M., the subject of this sketch; Irving H., born February 3, 1840; Albert O., born May 1, 1845; Silas M., born February 21, 1847; Emma R., born December 5, 1850; and Alden E., born April 25, 1853. Irving H. married Clara L. Grey, of Peterboro, and has one daughter, Clara M.; Albert O. married Josie R. Hovey, of this town, and has one daughter, Lenora; Silas M. wedded Marinda K. Parker, of Peterboro; Alden E. married Aldana C. Andrews, of Westboro, Mass., and has one daughter, Morgie A. The mother died December 19, 1886. Both parents attended the Congregational church, of which the mother was a member.
Ezra M. Smith acquired his early education in Langdon, and was fitted for college at the Cold River Union Academy in Alstead. He subsequently attended the law department of the University of Albany, New York, and was graduated February 22, 1861. Settling in Peterboro soon after, he began the practice of his profession, and rapidly acquired a large general law business. After following his profession for over thirty years, he retired in 1896. He is now passing his time in superintending his farm, which contains one hundred acres. He also owns another tract of two hundred and twenty acres. In politics he supports the Republican party, and he was prominent in public affairs for many years. He served upon the School Committee for five years, was Town Treasurer for one term, and has been Moderator at town meetings for a number of years. For the past four years he has served as Selectman, having been previously a member of that body for nine years in succession, during which he was chairman for a time. He was elected to the legislature in 1871 ad 1872, and he was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1876.
On October 4, 1866, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Mary S. Fairbanks. She was born in Dublin, N. H., February 13, 1845, daughter of Moses A. Fairbanks. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had three children, as follows: Etta M., born December 2, 1870; Harlan B., born March 9, 1874, who died November 21, 1892; and Orrin F., born June 28, 1886. Mr. Smith has occupied the principle chairs in Peterboro Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is now a member of the Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor, the Sons of Temperance, and the Patrons of Husbandry. In the local grange he has been Master. He is a member of the Congregational church, of which he was formerly clerk. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Baptist church.