In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1848
From History of Ray County, Mo. (1881)
JAMES W. SMITH, M. D.
James W. Smith is a native of Ray county, Missouri, and was born May 7, 1848. His literary training was acquired at Richmond College, Richmond, Missouri. In 1869 he entered the drug store of Taylor & Donaldson, where he remained as clerk (at the same time studying medicine) till the fall of 1872. As medical student, Doctor Geo. W. Buchanan, of Richmond, was his preceptor till he entered the St. Louis Medical College, from which he graduated in the spring of 1874. After graduating he entered upon the practice of his profession at Orrick, Ray county. In the spring of 1876 he returned to Richmond, and formed a partnership with Doctor J. D. Taylor, buying also an interest in the drug store of Taylor & Ringo. He continued the practice of medicine and a druggist and pharmacist, in connection with Doctor Taylor, under the firm name of Taylor & Smith, until March 1, 1881, when they dissolved, W. C. Patton, Esq., purchasing the interest of Doctor Taylor in the drug store, while Doctor Smith retained his interest therein, and continues the practice of medicine alone. Doctor Srrfith is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, as is his wife, an accomplished lady, nee Mary V. Bates, a native of Ray county, to whom he was married December 14, 1876. He is also a member of Richmond Lodge A. F. & A. M. He is a successful practitioner, a genial gentleman, and useful citizen, and as such is highly respected and esteemed.
As printed in History of Ray County, Mo. (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.