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 1792
From History of Ray County, Mo. (1881)
JEDEDIAH SMITH.
The subject of this sketch was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, in the year 1792. He was married in his native state in 1819, to Miss Jane Close, daughter of Joseph and Susan Close, natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Smith was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, October 20, 1802. During the war of 1812, Mr. Smith served in the North Carolina militia. He emigrated to Missouri and settled in Ray county in the year 1838, and engaged in farming and stock raising. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of the following named children: John Calvin, Joseph Addison, Susan Ann, William Washington and Margaret E. J. Mr. Smith was an elder in the O. S. Presbyterian Church for many years. He died in September, 1869. He was a highly respected citizen, and a devout and active Christian. Mrs. Smith is yet living on the old homestead.
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.
Their biographies name Jedediah Smith: Catharine Gunnell
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.