The Smith Families of Greene County, Missouri

JULIAN D. SMITH.

This gentleman is the son of William and Sarah (Julian) Smith, and was born in Laurel county, Kentucky, March 31, 1831. His father was a native of Kentucky, born in 1801, and died in Oregon in 1866. His mother was a native of Tennessee and died in 1876. They emigrated to Greene county, Missouri, in 1838, and settled upon Grand Prairie, in Center township. Julian D. received his education in the common schools of the county, and when he was twenty-two years of age took the "gold fever" and went to California. He stopped one winter at Salt Lake City and then pushed on to the gold fields of California. Not being very successful in the mines he returned to this county in 1855, and commenced farming, and with the exception of two trips to Texas has been a resident of this county ever since. He was married September 18th, 1855, to Miss L. P. Landreth, daughter of Wm. S. Landreth, one of the old settlers of Greene. They have a family of six children, four boys and two girls. Mr. Smith was in the militia during the war but took no active part in the struggle. He is a Greenbacker in politics, and one of the substantial farmers of his section. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres, one mile southeast of Walnut Grove.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM V. SMITH.

A great essayist once said that "when one has given the best that is in him to a work, he experiences a feeling of satisfaction." While this statement may seem rather broad, yet a greater truth than this was never spoken. Whether one is successful or not in what one undertakes, if he realizes that nothing on his part has been left undone he should have no regrets. This does not mean that the unsuccessful person feels just as elated over defeat as the successful over victory. When one does his best and is successful he has a double reason to be happy. To this class belongs William Y. Smith, who has had a varied career as farmer, implement dealer, traveling salesman and life insurance agent, and whose record shows that by his individual efforts persistently applied he has succeeded in lines that have claimed his attention.

Mr. Smith was born in Greene county. Missouri, June 5, 185 1. He is a son of William and Sarah (Julian) Smith, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. They grew to maturity in the East and were educated there and married in Kentucky. The father was a physician by profession. He went to California in 185 1, during the gold fever period, and his death occurred in Eugene, Oregon. His widow survived until 1875, dying in Greene county, Missouri. To these parents six children were born, three of whom are deceased, namely: Julian D., deceased; Robert O., deceased; Cyrenia lives in Paris, Texas; Saphronia lives in Fair Play, Missouri; Aglentine, deceased; and William Y., of this review.

William V. Smith had little opportunity to receive an education. He attended night school for a time, but later in life this early lack has been made up for by wide miscellaneous reading, and he is today a well-informed man on general topics. He was married near Willard. his native county October 15, 1871, to Anna B. Campbell, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, in 1855. and here she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. She is a daughter of Andrew and Louise ( White ) Campbell, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively, but were married in Greene county, Missouri, after they immigrated here among the early pioneers, locating on a farm. During the Civil war Mr. Campbell joined the Confederate army and died in the service. His widow survives and is living in Tennessee. Mrs. Smith is a granddaughter of George White, one of the pioneer preachers of ( greene county, who located here in the year 1853 and was known as a circuit rider, preaching at Friendship Baptist church near Ebenezer. Ash Grove, Slagle Creek church and Cedar Bluff, holding services one Sunday each month in the churches in his regular circuit.

Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, rive of whom are living at this writing, namely: Lydia Eugenia lives in Kansas: Fred, deceased; Ethel is married and lives in Springfield, Missouri; Mattie is als > with her parents; Nellie lives in Joplin, Missouri; Walter died in infancy; Campbell lives in Springfield, and Lee is deceased.

William Y. Smith is an example of a self-made man. I lis father died when he was a small boy, leaving our subject's mother with a number of children in rear, which made it necessary for William in face life alone and unaided; but tins lie did courageously, and the hard knocks be received at that tender age proved valuable to his makeup, lie engaged in general farming on the farm where he was reared, continuing in this vocation until he was twenty-five years of age, then moved to Springfield and engaged in the implement business, later went on the road for a harvester company. selling machines, remaining in that line of work a number id" years, or until the various harvesting machine companies were consolidated into the trust, whereupon be turned his attention ti> the life insurance business. During the past five years he has been on the road as a commercial traveler, selling different lines. bu1 principally lighting systems and silos. He is one of the most successful and best known traveling men in this section of the country. He has a pleasant home on Monroe street, Springfield.

Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and has long been more or less active in the affairs of his party. He is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief Association.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HON. JARED E. SMITH.

This gentleman is the son of William P. and Christian (Patterson) Smith, and was born in Maury county, Tennessee, October 8, 1826. He was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood and made the best of his advantages. When sixteen years of age he engaged as a driver, receiving for his services six dollars per month. In 1846 he was married to Miss Sarah Roberta Mack, and settled upon a small farm and began business for himself, occasionally working at the carpenter's trade. In 1851 he, with his wife and two children, removed to Springfield, Mo. He engaged in farming the first year, and then for six years in house building and cabinet making. In 1853 he borrowed capital and built a planing mill, grist mill, foundry, and machine shop, in which he used the first steam machinery in Springfield. When the war came up he helped organize a company of Home Guards, who were soon changed into U.S. volunteers, and participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861. He was soon after made captain of company D, 72d regiment, militia, and helped in the defense of Springfield, when it was attacked January 8, 1863, by General Marmaduke. In 1862 was elected to represent Greene county in the Legislature. In 1864, was elected upon the Republican State ticket as register of lands, and held that office four years. He was also county treasurer of Greene county for two years. In 1868 he and his son-in-law, John R. Eurgerson, engaged in the drug business, and in 1873 the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Smith embarked in the crockery and queensware business. In 1876 he was again elected to the Legislature, in which capacity he served his constituents well and faithfully. He has been identified with the public-spirited citizens of the county in developing Southwest Missouri, and he is justly regarded as one of Greene's most prominent citizens.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES M. SMITH.

While Virginia has been apply termed the “Adother of Presidents,” she has also given to the nation many of its most enterprising and successful people in minor capacities, and thousands in the humble sphere of private citizenship trace their ancestry back to the Old Dominion. This was true of the late James AT Smith, himself a Virginian, and for a long lapse of years a successful farmer of Greene county, Alissouri. Just when the original progenitor of the Smith family became a resident of that state is not known, but it is supposed to have been at a time antedating the Colonial struggle for independence, and from that remote period to the present, members of this fine old family have been influential in the aft'airs of the various communities where they have resided. This may also be said of the subject’s material ancestry, who also settled in Virginia at an early day, so Wlr. Smith was justly proud of the fact that he belonged to two of the well known yet unorganized class denominating themselves as the “First Families of Virginia.” His popularity as a citizen was due, no doubt, to the fact that he possessed many of the common characteristics of the true Virginian — hospitality, gallantry, courtesy and adherence to right principles.

Mr. Smith was born in Lee county, Virginia, September 4, iso He is a son of Hiram and Polly (Ely) Smith. The father was born in Virginia in the year 1812, there grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools. He grew up on a plantation. He came to Missouri in 1845.nd settled in Greene county, entering one hundred and sixty acres from the government, cleared most of his land and made a success as a general farmer, and he traded a great deal in live stock, especially horses. Politically, he was a Republican. He died on his farm here when about eighty years of age. His wife was born, reared and educated in Virginia and there they were married. She was a member of the Holiness church. She died about three years before her husband’s death. To these parents twelve, children were born, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Biggs, deceased; George, a soldier in the Civil war, was killed during the service; James M., subject of this sketch; Allen makes his home in the West; Mrs. Louisa Smith is deceased; IMrs. Ellen Self lives in Polk county; Robert lives in Sparta, Christian county; Mrs. IMartha Hendrix, deceased; William, deceased; Preston lives in Carter county; the two youngest children died in infancy.

James I. Smith was young in years when he accompanied his parents on their overland trip from Virginia to Greene county, Missouri. Here he grew to manhood on a farm and received such educational advantages as the schools of that early period afforded. He remained under his parental rooftree until he was twenty-three years of age, then, in 1862, enlisted in the Sixteenth IMissouri Cavalry, Union army, in which he served faithfully during the Civil war. Toward the latter part of his service he was promoted to lieutenant. He saw considerable hard service in Greene county and various parts of the state, and was with the troops that drove General Price from [Missouri when on his last raid into this state, our subject having been thirty-eight days on this chase in Missouri and Arkansas, and was fighting all the while. He was a gallant and brave soldier, and was honorably discharged from the army at Marshfield, Webster county, June 4, 1865.

After his career in the army, Mr. Smith returned home and resumed farming and on February 28, 1866, he married Rebecca Watts. He first rented a farm of sixty acres, which he worked for three years, then moved on a two hundred and fifty acre farm on the James river, which place he rented and operated for eight years, getting a good start, then bought seventy-five acres, to which he later added forty acres, and here his widow still resides. He cleared this land and was very successful as a general farmer, was a hard worker and good manager. Twelve acres of the place has remained in timber. He built a comfortable home and made other modern improvements. He devoted considerable attention to raising live stock, especially hogs. Here his death occurred July 23, 1905. He was well liked throughout his community and had the respect of all who knew him.

Mrs. Rebecca Smith was born in Greene county, Missouri, August 17, 1843. She is a daughter of James and Delila (Taber) Watts. The father was born in Tennessee in 1810, and there grew up on a farm and received a common school education and married and there resided until three of his children were born; then immigrated to Green county, Missouri, in wagons drawn by oxen, crossing the Mississippi river in the winter, on the ice. He followed farming in Tennessee for a time after his marriage, later was a steamboat pilot on the Ohio and Mississippi-rivers. He often made extensive trips, being away from home eight and ten months at a time, when he was a riverman. It was in 1835 that he brought his family to Greene county, and was thus among the first settlers. He entered from the government two hundred and forty acres, most of which he cleared and developed into a good farm and was rated among the successful pioneers of this locality, was well known among the frontiersmen and well liked for his many good traits of character. Politically, he was a Republican. PI is death occurred on his farm here. Plis wife was born in Tennessee in 1812, was reared on a farm there and received such educational advantages as the schools of those early times afforded. She was a hard worker and was always ready to assist her husband in making the living and in the proper rearing of their children. She lived to an advanced age, dying at the home of her son twenty years after her husband’s death. She was a member of the Presbyterian church. To Mr. and Mrs. Watts the following children were born, namely: William Harrison was an artilleryman during the Civil war and was killed in battle, shot while tending his cannon; John J., a veteran of the Civil war, lives at Rogersville, Webster county; Thomas J., deceased; James Madison, who was a soldier in the Civil War, is deceased; Isaac Newton, who was a soldier in the Sixth Missouri Cavalry, died while in the service, in 1862; Rebecca, who became the wife of Mr. Smith, of this sketch; Mary T. is deceased; Mrs. Delila, E, Sams lives in Clinton county, Missouri; Robert S., deceased: George W. lives in Rogersville; Andrew- Jackson, deceased; Mrs. Mattie Robenau lives in Springlield, where she is engaged in the millinery business; Mrs. Artelia Jennings lives in Webster county, Missouri.

Mrs. Smith was reared on the home farm and was educated in the common schools in Greene county. She has been a diligent and w'worthy helpmeet and a prudent and kind mother. She is now getting along in years, but has the appearance of a much younger woman, being well preserved and enjoying good health. She has a wide circle of friends in this part of the county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Smith three children were born, namely: Jerome, born January 4, 1867, is deceased: Leon, born January 4, 1869, is deceased; Mrs. Lennie M. Roach, lion June 28, 1877. IMr. Roach operates the homestead for Mrs. Smith, he and his wife residing at the old home with the widow of our subject.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN T. SMITH.

The subject of this sketch was born May 23d, 1797, in Franklin county, Georgia, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Morgan) Smith. He was educated at Willington college. South Carolina, from which institution he graduated. It was his fortune while attending college to have been many times examined by that prince of statesmen John C. Calhoun. He was a schoolmate of Gen. McDuffie, who afterward became the colleague of Calhoun in the Senate of the United States. Mr. Smith was a soldier of the war of 1812, serving about six months. Soon after that war closed his parents emigrated to that part of Mississippi territory, which subsequently became the State of Alabama, and located near Huntsville. In 1818, Mr. Smith was elected magistrate and served eight years. His father gave him a tract of land and seven negroes, and he farmer until 1832, by which time he had made fifty thousand dollars. In 1833 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and ran a large brewing establishment for three years, and then went into the wholesale grocery business, which he followed until 1841, and in it, also, he made about fifty thousand dollars. He then went to Virginia and bought sixty-five slaves, and took them to Henry county, Tennessee, where he carried on a mule farm of three thousand acres, until 1852. He then spent two years in different States buying up land warrants, and in 1855 came to Springfield, Missouri.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN RANDOLPH SMITH, M. D.

That life is the most useful and desirable that results in the greatest good to the greatest number and, though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a blessing to his fellowmen; and it is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public positions to do so, for in the humbler walks of life there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for one to exercise one’s talents and influence which in some way will touch the lives of those with whom we come in contact, making them better and brighter. In the list of Greene county’s honored citizens is Dr. John Randolph Smith, now living in honorable retirement after a long, useful and eminently successful career as a physician, having for many years ranked among the leading professional men of southwestern Missouri. In his career there is much that is commendable and his life forcibly illustrates what one can accomplish even in the face of obstacles, if one’s plans are wisely laid and his actions governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals.

Doctor Smith was born on January 27, 1836, at Monticello, Kentucky, a schon of an excellent old southern family. He is a son of David and Charlotte (Havens) Smith, born in 1777 and 1800 respectively, who removed to Newton county, Missouri, in 1836, and were thus pioneer settlers in this state. David Smith died January 24, 1845, when Doctor Smith was nine years of age, and his wife died in May, 1884. Our subject was an infant in arms at that time and he grew to manhood in Newton county, received a limited education in the old-time subscription schools and worked on a farm during his boyhood. But he was an ambitious youth and studied hard at home, taking an interest in medicine when only sixteen years of age, and about that time began studying medicine under Dr. J. W. Walker in Jasper county, Missouri. He made rapid progress and was equipped for his chosen career at an early age, being a fine example of a self-made man. He first began practice at Diamond Grove, this state. Seeing the need of a college training he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and took the course in the medical college there. He owes much of his success in life to his mother who was a well educated woman and taught him much at home. In his youth he taught school for a time in Newton county, Missouri. Finally turning his attention to the newspaper field he started, owned and operated the IVcekly Record at Stella, Missouri, which he retained until in February, 1914, when he retired from active life. From 1871 to 1873, inclusive, he owned and operated a wholesale and retail drug store in Springfield, under the firm name of W. G. Porter & Company, at the southwest corner of the public square. Upon the death of Mr. Porter, Doctor Smith continued the drug business at 223 South street, under the firm name of J. R. Smith & Company. He enjoyed a large trade, maintained one of the leading drug stores of Springfield and was very successful as a business man. In connection with his business interests he followed his profession and had an extensive practice. Being of a literary turn of mind he has written and published a number of books on varied themes, principally of a religious ' tone. His writings show a depth of thought, broad culture, a splendid general knowledge and a fine literary finish.

Doctor Smith was never named by his parents, being known only by a nickname until he was eight years of age when he selected his own name. He comes from an excellent old American family. Robert Smith, his grand father, was born in England, and he served in the Revolutionary war, be coming captain of a company in the Fourth North Carolina regiment. He was a gallant officer and took part in many engagements, including the battle of King’s Mountain. After the war he was a merchant and ship builder of note, owning several vessels which operated between North Carolina ports and the West Indies. Nathaniel Geist, the doctor’s great-grandfather, first married Mary Howard, of Baltimore. Maryland, and later Dinah Volkeer, of Holland. His daughter, Mary Geist, by his first wife, married Robert Smith, our subject’s grandfather. Nathaniel Geist served with Georae

Wasliington in the war with England against France, and he was captured in 1773 at Braddock’s famous defeat by the Cherokee Indians, who held him four years. During his captivity he married an Indian maiden and they reared a family. One of their sons, George Geist, was a man of exceptional prowess and ability and the Indians called him Chief Sequoyah, and he was for some time chief of the Cherokee tribe. He has been held in great reverence by the succeeding generation of Cherokees in view of the fact that he originated the Cherokee alphabet.

David Smith, father of our subject, was born in North Carolina. He lived in Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky before coming to Missouri in 1836. He was a great cattleman, raising large numbers in the above mentioned states, and in the early days before there were any railroads in the South, he practiced driving immense herds of cattle to Baltimore, Maryland, where he marketed them. Many claim that he originated the familiar term “cowboy.” He was left an orphan in infancy, his father and mother both dying at that period of his life. All his life he was a dealer in live stock and was one of the most widely known cattle and horse dealers in his day and generation in the localities where he resided. He was one of the first to import blooded horses, and he raised thoroughbreds for a number of years. He lived to a ripe old age, spending his last years on his large stock farm in Newton county, this state. His family consisted of the following children: Benjamin F. died in infancy; Sarah A. married Thomas Walker; Mary fi. who is now eighty-two years of age and has never married, is living at the old homestead, “Kent Park,” Newton county, Missouri; Dr. John R., of this sketch; Charlotte E. married James W. Roseberry, now deceased; their son Chalmer H. Roseberry, owns and conducts a large deer farm at “Kent Park,” Newton county, and is a member of the Society for the Preservation of Wild Animals of the United States Government. Thomas H. Benton Smith died in 1863 while in the service of the Confederacy, having been with General Rains’ brigade at Ft. Smith, Arkansas, at the time of his death.

Dr. fohn R. Smith owns a gun which was made to order for his father in 1829, by John Bull, a gunsmith of Warrior Mountain, Alabama. It is a fine specimen of guncraft of those days, is mounted with silver and has a gold powder-pan and bushings. The stock is of curly maple and the barrel of a very soft iron. It is a remarkably accurate shooting piece and it was designed as a "target" gun for the pioneers. The mounting has several inscriptions on the silver plating. The doctor values this heirloom very highly.

Doctor Smith was married October 3, 1861, to Frances Ruth Keet, a daughter of Josiah T. and Elizabeth Proctor (West) Keet.

To Doctor Smith and wife the following children were born: Kenyon Ida died in infancy; Ernest V. is a lieutenant-colonel in the regular army of the United States, now stationed at Honoluln, Sandwich Islands; he is a graduate of West Point Military Academy, which he entered when seventeen years old; he married Cora Young, of Troy, New York. Grace K. Smith became the wife of the late George Cooper, a sketch of whom will be found in another part of this work; Charlotte married Willard P. Paddock, who was for many years a professor in the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York; he is now a well known artist, and has made a fine bronze state of Noah Webster, that was unveiled in September, 1914, in Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Paddock reside in New York City. Clara, youngest of the doctor’s children, married Edward Steichen, a well known artist of New York City, where they reside. The mother of these children, to whom they owe so much for their general culture and success in life, is now seventy-one years of age.

Doctor Smith has been living retired for some time, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Grace Cooper, at her beautiful home on Cherry street, Springfield. He is now in his seventy-ninth year, but is still comparatively hale and hearty and possesses all his faculties and has a fine memory. For a number of years he was medical examiner of the pension bureau of the United States government. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and belongs to the Christian church. He and his good wife are indeed a grand old couple, greatly beloved by a very wide circle of close friends. They have led useful and helpful lives, being hospitable and charitable by nature, but never from a desire for display — rather from an innate love for suffering humanity and to weekly follow in the footsteps of the lowly Nazarene.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ISAAC NEWTON SMITH.

In many respects the career of the late Isaac Newton Smith, for a period of thirty years one of the progressive business men of Springfield, is peculiarly instructive in that it shows what a well defined purpose, supplemented by correct principles and high ideals, can accomplish when rightly and intelligently applied, even in the face of obstacles. A native of the Hoosier state, he spent the major portion of his life in Missouri, where he devoted over thirty years to the insurance business and became one of the most efficient and widely known insurance men in the southern part of the state. The last days of his busy career were devoted, in a large measure, to the promoting of the electric railway between Springfield and Toplin and he was president of this company. But he was a man who was not only noted for his large success in material affairs, having found time to take an active interest in church work and was one of the most potent members of the Presbyterian denomination in this section of the state. In short, he was a successful, useful and honorable man and his record might be studied with profit l>v many.

Mr. Smith was born, February 27, 1847, in Miami county, Indiana. He was a son of George and Rosa (Dilsaver) Smith, the father a native of Virginia and the mother was born in Ohio, and there she grew to womanhood. George Smith was brought to Ohio by his parents when he was a child and grew up in that state and he and his wife were educated in the rural subscription schools and were married and established their home, but later removed to Miami county, Indiana, on a farm and devoted their lives to agricultural pursuits. Their family consisted of twelve children, three of whom are still living.

Isaac N. Smith grew up on the farm and he had little chance to obtain an education, but improved such as he had and in later life became a well informed man through contact with the world and much home reading; in fact, he was a fine sample of the self-made man for which America is noted. He left home when about seventeen years old. being compelled to make his own way. He was ambitious to go through school and obtain a high education, but the opportunity never presented itself. At the age of nineteen he came to St. Louis where he worked at different employments in order to get a start, later became a bridge builder. Then he came to Webster county, this state, purchasing a farm near Marshfield, and while operating this he studied architecture and made some advancement, drawing plans for buildings and in the general preliminary work of an architect. About thirty-two years ago he went into the insurance business and this proved to be his chief life work. He started at Marshfield and remained there until 1884, when he removed to Springfield, continuing the same business. He was with the Mutual Life all the while, and he was district manager of this company the rest of his life. He was very successful from the first and the company regarded him as one of their most faithful, industrious and trustworthy employees. About twenty years ago he received a handsome cup, given by the company, for writing the must insurance in a given period. This was won over hundreds of competitors and it allows his ability in this field of endeavor. At the time of his death he was president of the new traction line between Springfield and Joplin and was doing much to make the project a success; in fact, his close application in this enterprise hastened the closing of his earthly career.

Mr. Smith was married. November 25, 1875. to Margaret P.. Butcher, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her birth occurring February 9. 1852. She is a daughter of Stephen and Maria (LeKeux) Butcher. The father was born in England, near London, in the year [802, and there he grew to manhood and married Maria Fclxcux in 1847, and they subsequently immigrated to America, locating in Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania. His wife was also a native of England. Mr. Butcher received a good education in his native land, traveled extensively and followed the sea for six years. Mr. Butcher enlisted in the Civil war, in [861, serving the full time enlisted in a Missouri calvary regiment, lie was in several battles, including the battle of Wilson's (reek, was a very faithful soldier and a strong Union man. His family consisted of five children, three of whom are —rill living, namely: Margaret P.. who became the wile of Mr. Smith of this memoir: Mrs. Mary P. King, and Stephen II. Mrs. Smith grew to womanhood in Pittsburgh, where she was given excellent educational advantage-, and she engaged in teaching for a while after leaving school.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, named follows:

Lucian L., who married Lallah Smith, is claim agent for the Frisco railroad; Mable married Charles F. Bishop, and they live in Ouincy, Illinois; Ada married John J. Tooker, and they live in Boonville, Missouri.

Politically, Mr. Smith was a Republican and a great worker for his party. Fraternally he belonged to the Masonic Order. He was one of the leading members of Calvary Presbyterian church for many years and was active in church work. He was chairman of its board of trustees and was most efficient in this capacity. He was a devoted Christian, with marked administrative ability and was enthusiastically devoted to the service of the church.

The substantial Smith residence is on Benton avenue, and there the summons came for Mr. Smith to close his earthly account and take up his work on a higher plane of being, March 10, 1914.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM M. SMITH, M. D.

One of the best-known physicians of the city of Springfield, an honored veteran of the Civil war, and for a quarter of a century one of the respected citizens of Greene county, is Dr. William M. Smith. He those medicine as his life profession and life purpose and pursuit. Ihe environment of his earlier years, its discipline, his college course and drill, the culture that comes from books and study and travel, the success with which he has met as a physician, and the standard in his profession to which he has risen — all testify to the wisdom of his choice.

Dr. Smith was born in Barnesville, Ohio, June 7, 1842. He is a son of John C. and Hannah (Thompson) Smith. The father wuas born in 1817, was reared a Quaker, and was a carpenter and contractor during his active life. Toward the early part of the Civil war, although then advanced m years, he enlisted for service in the Union army in August, 1862, in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Col. John H. Howe, and he served in the battles around Vicksburg, Mississippi, but the hardships of army life proved too much for him and he died before his term of enlistment had expired and was buried in the Lational cemetery at Mound City, Illinois. The mother of our subject was born January 18, 1818. in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Amos Thompson, a farmer. She came with her family to Ohio when she was a child, and her parents both died in that state. She spent the latter part of her life at the home of our subject in Springfield, Missouri, wdiere her death occurred in 1889, and was buried in Hazelwood cemetery here. Some of the material great-great-uncles of our subject Avere soldiers in the Revolutionary war. The family is of German-English, Scotch and Iiish ancesti\.

Dr. Smith was reared in Ohio and there he received his early education in the common schools, later graduating from the Kewanee Academy, at Kewanee, Illinois, and Avas preparing for college at the time of his enlistment in the Federal army, in September, 1861, in Company A. Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Col. Ste\vart. later serving under Col. Northrop. He saw considerable hard seiufice and proved to be a gallant defender of the flag, participating in the battles of Farmington. Stone River, and the great battle of Chickamauga, in which he was wounded and taken prisoner, but was later paroled and sent to General Hospital in St. Louis. He was honorably discharged at St. Louis at the expiration of term of enlistment and later re-enlisted, February 7, 1865, in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, serving until October, 1865, and was discharged at Selma, Alaliama. After his career in the army Dr. Smith returned home and taught school for several terms, devoting his spare time to the study of medicine, and in

1868 he entered the Keokuk Medical College, at Keokuk, Iowa, later entering Kush Aledical College, Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1870. He first began the practice of his profession at Atkinson, Illinois, remaining there nine years, and had a good practice; he then went to Sterling, Illinois, and practiced three years, after which he moved to Beadle county. South Dakota, where he practiced six years, and in 1888 came to Springfield, Missouri, where he has remained to the present time, enjoying an excellent practice all the while and ranking among the leading general practitioners in the county.

Dr. Smith is a member of the Greene County Medical Society, the Southwest Missouri Medical Society, the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He was president of the first named society for one term. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He has been secretary of the local board of pension examiners for the ])ast sixteen years. Politically he is a Republican and religiously is a member of the Congregational church.

Dr. Smith married Viola M. Perrin, December 15, 1870. She is a daughter of Isaac and Maria (Bailey) Perrin, both natives of New Pngland. Mrs. Smith's father died when she was an infant. The mother spent her last years with our subject and died at his home in Springfield in 1890.

Four children have been born to Dr. Smith and wife, namely; Wells Perrin, born in Atkinson, Illinois, in 1871, was educated in the Springfield high school and Drury College, later was graduated from Beaumont Medical College, in 1898, and he began his practice in Springfield, securing a position in the Prisco Hospital, where he remained two years, then removed to Arkansas, and is now division surgeon for the Iron Mountain Railroad, with headquarters at Little Rock. Pie married Robbie Blythe, of Clarksville, Arkansas, in 1905. and they have four children, Helen. John. Elsie and Elizabeth. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and is a fine surgeon. Charles AVilbur Smith, second son of our subject, was born in Atkinson, Illinois, in 1873, was educated in the Sjiringfield high school and Drury College, also studied at the Beaumont Medical College, graduating with the class of 1901, later, in 1902, taking a post-graduate course in the St. Louis Hospital. He began the practice of his profession at Keota. Missouri, in 1902. and remained there six years, then came to Springfield and has been fii practice here ever since, and is one of the most successful of our younger surgeons and general practitioners, doing a great deal of surgery. He is a member of the Greene County Aledical Society, the Alissouri State Medical Association, the Southwest Alissouri Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was at one time health commissioner of the city of Springfield. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and B. P. O. E. He married Marv Helen

Vail in 1902. She is a daughter of Edward Vail, superintendent of a local coal company. One child has been born to Dr. Charles W. Smith and wife, a daughter, Vail Smith, whose birth occurred in 1903. Amy Jessie Smith, daughter of the subject of this sketch, was born in Atkinson, Illinois, was educated in the Springfield high school and graduated from Drury College. She married Alfred H. Mansfield, an attorney, now chief claim agent of the IMissouri Pacific Railroad; they reside in St. Louis. To this union one child has been born, [name withheld], born on August 8, 1914. Winifred Elizabeth Smith, youngest of our subject’s children, was born in South Dakota, was educated in the Springfield high school and Drury College, and she married O. J. McCutcheon, president of the McCutcheon Bros. Vehicle & Harness Company, of Springfield; to them one child, Elizabeth, was born in 1910 in this city. The above named children were given every advantage as to education and general preparation for life, and they are all popular wherever they are known, and are well situated in life.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES E. SMITH.

It is a good sign when a county like Greene can boast of so many of her enterprising business men and farmers who arc native sons, for it indicates that there are to be found all the opportunities necessary to insure success in the material affairs of life and that her native sons, unlike so many if mi various sections, have found it to their advantage to remain at home. They have been wise in doing this for nature has offered the husbandman unusual advantages here and has seldom failed to reward the earnest worker with gratifying results, and when the tillers of the soil are prosperous all lines of business flourish, consequently not only the farmers have succeeded in this locality but also the merchants, millers, lumbermen, stock dealers, and many others, and the county ranks well with the most thriving sections of this or any other state.

One of the native-born business men of Springfield is James E. Smith, whose birth occurred in this city, July 28, 1868. He is a son of David and Mary (Fulton) Smith. The father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, as was also the mother, and there they grew to maturity, were educated and married, and when young immigrated to America and located in Greene county, Missouri. The elder Smith was a well drilled and he operated the first well drill in the vicinity of Springfield. It was in 1858 that they located here and they spent the rest of their lives in Springfield, the father's death occurring here in 1870. To them thirteen children were born; the following are still living, namely: Maggie lives in Pennsylvania: David, a machinist, in the employ of the Frisco, lives in Springfield: Joseph lives in Kansas City: James E., of this sketch, and Jennie E. (twins), the latter also lives in Springfield: Robert makes his home in this city.

James E. Smith grew to manhood in his native city and here received a common and high school education, and when young served his apprenticeship as machinist and followed this trade at the old foundry at Mill and Boonville streets, where he learned the trade. After remaining there about three years he secured a position in the Springfield Wagon Works, in the paint department, later drove a grocery wagon for ten or twelve years. In 1890 he went into the grocery business for himself on Boonville street, also cigars and confectionery, remaining in that stand until 1894. However, prior to that year he was for some time in the employ of the Frisco, working as brakeman between Springfield and Memphis. In 1897 he went to work in the city fire department, where he remained until 1000, then opened his present grocery store at 831 North Campbell street and has built up a large and constantly-growing business, carrying at all seasons a large and well-selected stock of fancy and staple groceries.

Mrs. Smith was married, August 13, 1890. to Anna Miles, who was born in Hannibal, Missouri, September 17, 1870. She is a daughter of William A. and Malinda (Snyder) Miles, both natives of Pennsylvania, being early settlers in Missouri, locating on a farm. Mr. Miles served five years in the Civil war, participating in many hard-fought battles. Mrs. Smith grew to womanhood in her native city and received a good common school education in Hannibal.

To Mr. and Mrs. Smith three children have been born, namely: James E.. Jr., born May 16, 1891, lives at home: Jennette, born March 19, 1896, died the same year: Genevieve, born November 10, 1898.

Mr. Smith is prominent in fraternal affairs, being a member of the Masonic Order, Knights of Pythias, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Roval Arcanum, Highlanders, also the Woodmen of the World and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has been clerk of the Woodmen of the World for the past eighteen years and is active in Woodmen circles. Politically, he is a Democrat, and for the past three years has been councilman from the Sixth ward and has done much for the general good of the city. He was formerly secretary of the Retail Merchants' Association. His wife is a member of the Woodmen Circle and the Pythian Circle. Air. and Mrs. Smith belong; to the Catholic church.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ONAS SMITH, M. D.

Success in the medical profession comes as a result of merit and painstaking effort. In the industrial world one may by the proverbial "lucky Stroke" win great results or may cine into po->session of a lucrative business through inheritance, hut professional advancement, especially as a physician, is in be depended on solely by critical study and consecutive research long continued, lie must not only be a man willing to work hard and honestly, but must have courage, fortitude, sympathy, a kind and genial nature and lead a wholesome life, so that lie will inspire the confidence and trust of his patients. The medical profession is a very old and honored one. All tribes and people of all the ages have had their so-called "doctors'' or medicine men. and as a rule these were regarded as being especially gifted of the gods, hut in this rushing age. with the mad desire to obtain wealth speedily, many young men are dishonoring the physician's calling by practicing quackery and every unfair means, their motto being: "Get the money, get it quick and in as large amounts as possible." Tin-- class, however, is confined principally to the great cities, for such a course could not well be long pursued in rural districts for obvious reasons. So when a young man of ability and honest principles like Dr. Onas Smith, of Ash ( Irove, < greene county, takes up this calling he should receive special notice.

Dr. Smith was born at Halltown, Missouri, February 22, 1883. He is a son of Russell G. and Melvina (Oldham) Smith. Russell G. Smith was born in Alt. Vernon, Missouri, February 22, 1857, and is a son of James and Mary Ann (Clayton) Smith. James Smith was born in Kentucky about 1821, and was a son of Spencer and Sally Smith. Spencer Smith was a native of Kentucky, where he spent his life, meeting death suddenly, being killed by a horse. James Smith spent his earlier years in Kentucky, and removed to Lawrence county, Missouri, in 1857, and engaged successfully in general farming there for about thirty year-, His death occurred in 1891. He was a Democrat, and while very active in public affairs, never held office. He was also active as a member of the Christian church. He was a member of the Masonic Order — the Blue Lodge.

Alary Ann Clayton, wife of James Smith, whom he married about 1840, was born in Kentucky in iN_o, and her death occurred in 1906.

Russell G. Smith, father of our subject, grew up on the farm and received the usual educational training of that period in Lawrence county,.Missouri. There he began farming when a young man and continued until 1910, when he removed to Ash Grove and in ik)\j he purchased a third interest in the drug store of the firm name of Smith, Mason & Smith, a large and popular store here, which is doing an extensive business and is well stocked with drugs and drug sundries. Politically he is a Democrat and is very active in party affairs; is a member of the Christian church and is active in that. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to Ash Grove Lodge. No. 100, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He and Melvina < lldham were married on September 10, 1877. She was born in Kentucky, on January 6, us56. She was a daughter of Daniel and Mahaley (Sims) Oldham, who were early settlers of Lawrence county, Missouri. Mrs. Smith was a woman of fine Christian sentiment, and she was called to her eternal rest on July 4, 1904. To these parents two children were born, namely: Daisy, wife of John F. Afason, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume, and Dr. Onas Smith, of this review7.

Dr. Smith grew to manhood on the home farm in Lawrence county and he received his early education in the public schools. He began studying medicine with Dr. C. A. Wilkerson, of Halltown, and in 1899 entered the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he made a good record and from which institution he was graduated on April 13, 1904. and just one month later he opened an office for the practice of his profession at Piano, Missouri, but remained there only six weeks, then came to Ash Grove, where he has been engaged in general practice to the present time and has met with encouraging success from the first. He is surgeon for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad at Ash Grove. He has a one-third interest in the Smith, Mason & Smith Drug Company here. In 1912 he took a post-graduate course in the Polyclinic Hospital in Chicago.

Dr. Smith was married on July 20, 1904, to Allie B. Safer, who was born in Kansas in May 18, 1886. She had the advantages of a good education. To the Doctor and wife one child has been born, Orland, whose birth occurred on February 15, 1906.

Politically, Dr. Smith is a Progressive. Religiously, he is a member of the Christian church. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic Order, including Ash Grove Lodge, No. 100, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons: Ash Grove Chapter, No. 124. Royal Arch Masons; Zabud Council. Royal and Select Masters, and St. John's Commandery, No. 20. Knights Templars. Ibis also a member of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The doctor and his wife have made many friends since locating in Ash Grove.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARRISON MILTON SMITH.

Harrison Milton Smith, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, of Springfield, is a native of the Buckeye state, having been born on June 28, 1857, in Licking county, Ohio. His parents were Harrison and Margaret (Brown) Smith, who were natives of Culpeper county, Virginia. His grandfather, Philip Smith, was a native of Warren county, Pennsylvania, and came from that sturdy German stock. His grandfather on his mother's side, Peter Brown, was of English descent. He was a minute man of the War of 181 2, and lived to the ripe old age of ninety-one years. When, H. M. was a small boy his parents emigrated from Ohio to Lagrange county, Indiana, where he lived until he grew to manhood. He received his early education in the district schools, and at the age of nineteen years he commenced teaching. He taught four terms and in the spring of 1880 he entered the State Normal at Terre Haute and graduated with honors in June, 1883, receiving a state teacher's license for life in the state of Indiana.

After graduating he became general agent for the Union Publishing Company of Chicago, in which position he served for eighteen months. In March, 1885, he entered the employ of the Goodspeed Publishing Company and for five years he was their biographical writer for state works. He traveled in ten different states and was considered as one of the company's most efficient and competent men.

On May 9, 1889, he married Sarah Catharine Foltz, who is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana. By this union three children were born; I1110 Ann, died on October 31, \Xt>'- Orpha Foltz and Wilma Bernice are at home with their parents.

On June 3. 1889, Mr. Smith located at Richland, Missouri, where he organized the Pulaski County Bank, it being the first bank in Pulaski county, hence he is known as the pioneer banker of said county. He was elected its cashier, which position he held for fourteen years. In June. 1903, he sold out and moved his family to Springfield, Missouri, and at once organized the Farmers and Merchants Hank, and it opened for business on September 21. 191.3. Here again he was elected as cashier of said banking institution, which position he has since held. As a hanker he has been a success. His principal lias always been "safety first" to his depositors and the banking institution of which he has been cashier, carrying at all times a surplus equal to the capital stuck. lie has always been a very Litis)- man, looking carefully after every detail of the work at hand and in doing this he has been able to accumulate go.nl property. Mr. Smith has always taken an active part in public affairs and in the welfare of the city in which he has lived. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being a member of United Lodge, No. 5, Gate of Temple Chapter, No. 15, St. John's Commandery, Abou Ben Adhem Temple, Shrine. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and Woodmen of the World. He has been a member of the Methodist church for many years, and is one of the trustees of Grace Methodist Episcopal church and one of its active members.

Mr. Smith is a self-made man in the true sense of the word. He was reared on the farm, working for twenty-five cents a day when a boy: worked two years in a brick yard at a dollar a day and boarded himself. He is one of the substantial business men of Springfield and one of the leading bankers of southwestern Missouri. He was elected secretary of Group No. 7 at its last meeting in the fall of 1914.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. W. SMITH.

Mr. Smith was born in Polk county, Missouri, March 20th, 1851. He is the son of J. B. and Kiziah (Crawford) Smith, both Kentuokians. His father was one of the early settlers of Polk county", and is a prominent citizen. J. W. Smith was educated in the common Bchools of the country, and when old enough learned the blacksmith and wagon-maker's trade, and has followed that occupation ever since. He came to Walnut Grove in the fall of 1879 and opened a shop, since when he has done a flourishing business. He was appointed postmaster of Walnut Grove, in July, 1881. He is an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and a citizen in whom all have confidence as a Christian and a gentle" man. He was married October 3d, 1869, to Miss Amanda E. Kelley, a daughter of Thomas J. Kelley, a prominent Baptist minister of Greene county. She died December 25th, 1878, leaving two children. Mr. Smith was married the second time, July 5th, 1880, to Miss Lucina, daughter of Robert AIcGill, Esq., of this county. Their marriage has been best with one child.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

This gentleman is the oldest engineer on the St. Louis and San Francisco railroad, having run the first engine on that line. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, February 26,

1827. When he was sixteen years old he went into the machine shops of the Housatonic railroad in his native town, and commenced learning the trade of a machinist. Two years later, after firing for a short time on the same road, he took charge of an engine, which he ran at intervals for three years, then regularly, for six successive years. He then ran as engineer on the Rock Island railroad for two years, going thence to St. Louis, where he took charge of an engine on the Missouri Pacific till 1862. Going to Memphis, he ran on the Memphis and Charleston road nine months, for the government, after which he was transferred to Nashville, Tenn., and given charge of an engine of the hospital train, which he ran on various roads in the South till the war closed, visiting several battlefields, among which were Mission Kidge, and the battle between Nashville and Decatur. After the war he returned to Pacific City, Missouri, and took the engine he had formerly run, and has been in same employ ever since. Mr. Smith was married to Martha Tyman some nine years before the civil war, by whom he has had seven children. His home is in Pacific City, where he has lived for thirty years. He is a member of Pacific division. No. 83, B. of L. E., of which order he was a charter member. Besides this he is in the Locomotive Engineers' Mutual Life Lisurance Association, and is also a member of the 'Frisco L. E. H. Association.

Is a native of Canada, born in Quebec, May 10, 1845., He came to the United States in 1864, and accepted a position on the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, where he stayed three years, then took a train on the Union Pacific railroad, which he run until 1870, then resigned and took a train on the St. Louis and San Francisco railway, where he is at present running a passenger train. On the 8th day of November, 1876, he married Miss Florence Britton, a native of New York. They have one child, Clarence Osman Smith. Mr. Smith is a member of Ozark division, No. 30, Order of Railway Conductors.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.