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 1821
From History of Boone County, Missouri (1882)
PETER E. SMITH, DECEASED.
Peter Ellis Smith was one among the oldest native born citizens of Boone county. His father, William Smith, came to Boone county in 1818. He married Nancy, eldest daughter of Peter Ellis, Sr., the progenitor of the Ellis family of Boone county. The subject of this sketch was born March 28th, 1821. He was the second son and second child of a family of seven sons and three daughters, five of whom are now living, all but one in Boone county. When five or six years old, his father moved to the farm now occupied by F. M.Smith. He remained on this farm until his marriage, February 26th, 1846. His first wife was Miss Nancy Moseley, daughter of William Moseley, of Boone county. Mr. Smith had a fine farm of 500 acres, situated seven miles northeast of Ashland and twelve miles southeast of Columbia. He was a successful breeder of thoroughbred cattle. Was a member of the Methodist church. Had four children, two sons and two daughters, of whom only one daughter is now living. The first wife having died in 1872, he was again married, July 26th, 1874, to Mrs. Lorinda J. Wheeler, daughter of John Crobarger, of St. Louis.
As printed in History of Boone County, Missouri (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1882. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.