Henry I. Smith

"HENRY I. SMITH, editor and publisher, P. O. New Oxford, is a native of York County, Penn., born at Hanover, May 13, 1859. His parents were Jacob and Mary A. (Eckenrode) Smith, whose history is given above. Henry I. obtained a fair education in the public schools of his native place, and in the spring of 1878 commenced the printer’s trade with H. J. Miller, of White Hall, Adams County, and in the autumn of that year purchased an interest in the Weekly Visitor, then owned by Mr. Miller. In the spring of 1870 the press and material were removed to New Oxford and the name of the paper was changed to the New Oxford Item, the first number of which was issued on April 18. In February, 1880, Mr. Smith purchased his partner’s interest and has since conducted the paper, the circulation of which, under his judicious management, has been greatly increased and the paper improved. There is connected with the Item one of the finest job printing offices in the eastern part of Adams County. December 25, 1881, Mr. Smith was married to Mary C., daughter of H. J. and Louisa Hemler, of Mountpleasant Township, Mrs. Smith being the eldest of seventeen children, her birth occurring in 1858. Both the Smith and the Hemler families are long-time residents of Adams County and have always been enterprising farmers. "