James Smith, born July 2 of 1815, was born in Pennsylvania to two Pennsylvanian natives. Not much is known of his early life, but it is recorded that Smith married Hannah Smith in his earlier years. They had six children, three of whom died at a very young age. Only one of his three remaining children eventually got married, of whom bore Smith two grandchildren. Smith worked at the Mill Street Station for many years, before taking on the job of a watchman and eventually a tax-collector at Swede's Ford Bridge in the last few years of his life. Though he may have moved about much in his life, Smith is recorded in the 1874 United States Census for living at 808 Arch St, Norristown, PA, where he resides for the rest of his life. Smith is also known for being the oldest member at the Montgomery Lodge, No. 57, I. O. O. F. and also a part of the Norristown Encampment, No. 37. Then in 1885, Smith, at the age of 70, died of pneumonia on Tuesday, November 10. He is buried in Lot B-26 in the Montgomery Cemetery, located in Norristown, Pennsylvania.