Erwin Frink Smith

Erwin Frink Smith was an American plant pathologist with the United States Department of Agriculture. He played a major role in demonstrating that bacteria could cause plant disease.

Smith was born in Gilbert Mills, near Fulton, New York to Louisa Frink Smith and Rancellor King Smith. In 1870 he moved with his family to an 80 acre farm, which eventually included an apple orchard, in Clinton County, Michigan. The farm ultimately failed, causing the Smith family to move to North Plains Township, Michigan. Because he was no longer needed to help on the farm, Smith was finally able to attend Ionia High School, starting in 1876, when he wasyears old.

Source: Wikipedia