Jared E. Smith

As printed in 1883

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 History of Greene County, Missouri .. (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.