William James Smeallie, a thrifty farmer of Princetown, Schoharie [i.e., Schenectady] County, N. Y., was born in this town, May 10, 1852, son of John and Jane (Milmine) Smeallie. His father was born here March 3, 1816, and his mother was born in Florida, N. Y., March 26, 1816. His paternal grandfather, James Smeallie, was born in Linlithgowshire, Scotland, April 18, 1786, and came to America in 1811. James Smeallie settled upon a farm in the northerly part of Princetown, where he resided the rest of his life. He was quite prominent in public affairs, serving as Supervisor and School Commissioner, and he was one of the founders of the United Presbyterian Church of Florida, N. Y. He married his cousin, Mary Smeallie. She was the daughter of his uncle, John Smeallie, first, a native of Scotland, who came to this country and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
John Smeallie, second, son of James and Mary, was a prosperous farmer and lifelong resident of Princetown. Being a man of progressive tendencies, he made good use of his resources, and realized excellent results as a general farmer. In politics he was originally a Whig and later a Republican. He was a member of the Scotch church. Jane Milmine Smeallie, his wife, became the mother of three children, namely: Mary E., wife of John M. Conover; William J., the subject of this sketch; and Agnes Smeallie, of Princetown. John Smeallie, second, lived to be seventy-five years old, but Mrs. Smeallie died at thirty-eight.
William James Smeallie was educated in the district schools. He resided in Duanesburg for ten years, but with that exception has been engaged in general farming in Princetown ever since reaching manhood. He is now the owner of one hundred acres of fertile land, comprising one of the best farms in town. He makes a specialty of breeding Jersey cattle and fancy poultry, owning at the present time some fine specimens of each, and his buildings are well adapted for these purposes.
Mr. Smeallie has served with ability as Excise Commissioner twelve years, and is now holding the office of Overseer of the Poor. In politics he acts with the Republican party. The family has long enjoyed local distinction for thrift and prosperity, and the subject of this sketch has fully demonstrated his ability to maintain this reputation. Mr. Smeallie is unmarried. He attends the United Presbyterian church, of which he was elected Elder in 1883.