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 1815, Caldwell county
From History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a (1881)
ROBERT JACKSON SMITH,
P. O. Lexington, Mo. The subject of this sketch is one of the old citizens of this county; was born in Caldwell county, Ky., April 14, 1815. He is the son of Robert and Lucy Smith, his mother's maiden name being Gordon. He lived in Caldwell county, Ky., until he was about sixteen years of age, and was principally educated there. In the fall of 1831 he moved with his widowed mother to this county, and in 1833 he settled on the farm on which he now resides, seven miles southeast of Lexington. Hh father died shortly before his birth, and his mother never remarried. In January, 185S, she died in this county. On the 12th of Feb., 1844, he was married, for the first time, to Miss Susan C. Thornbrugh, a native of Virginia, who had recently moved to Missouri. She lived about five years and died Jan. 21, 1849. Subsequently he married Miss Mary C. Nowlin, of Ray county, Mo. There was only one child, a son, by the first marriage, who died in infancy. By the second marriage he has six children living: five daughters and one son. Lucy C, wife of John P. Ardinger, of AuUville, Mo.; Susan E., wife of Chas. W. Ford, of this county; Mary Alice, wife of Berry Hughes, of Ray county, Mo.; Thomas B., Sallie C. and Fannie B. Though he sympathized with the South, Mr. Smith remained quietly on his farm during the war. By keeping silence he managed to get along without much disturbance save some loss of personal property. Except two years spent in Jackson county, he has always lived in this country since 1831. He is a Presbyterian, and his wife a Missionary Baptist. Mr. Smith stands high as a citizen and as a Granger, and has taken an active part in politics. He is a Democrat.
As printed in History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns and villages, together with a (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: John P. Ardinger (b. 1839)
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.