The following biography was taken from History of Kent County, Michigan, published in 1881.

"Obadiah Smith, medical practitioner and farmer, was born in Ontario Co., N.Y., in 1832; is the son of William and Rachel (Monroe) Smith, natives of New York; the former of English descent, the latter of mingled Dutch and Scotch lineage. His early education was obtained at the common schools, and most of his active life has been passed in farming and lumbering until the past four years, during which he has been engaged in the practice of medicine. He belongs to the Homeopathic school, and is preparing to enter upon a course of study at Chicago the present year. In 1855 he "took up" 80 acres of land on sec.11, and now owns 160 acres, well improved. He is a comparatively young man, but justices of Solon; has held other tp. (township) offices. He was married in 1853 to Livonia Arnold, born in New York, of English parentage. Their children are -- Omer L., Lillie O., Eliza J. (Mrs. Charles Smith), Alden E., and Lucy J."

Obadiah Smith may have moved to California in his later years. The photo at the top of the page is of his homestead in Cedar Springs, Michigan.