Calhoun County AlArchives Biographies.....Smyth, E. T. June 3 1828 - living in 1893
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 15, 2004, 3:45 pm

Author: Brant & Fuller (1893)
   REV. E. T. SMYTH, one of the oldest and most prominent Baptist ministers of
Calhoun county, Ala., was born in Laurens district, S. C., June 3, 1828. He was
a son of John and Mary (Teague) Smyth, the former of whom, a farmer by
occupation, was a son of James and Mary Chandlier) Smyth. James Smyth was a
native of Ireland, but came to the United States when fourteen years of age, and
in New York learned the jeweller's trade. He then wandered west and lost all
trace of his Irish relatives. Miss Sarah Teague, the mother of Rev. E. T. Smyth,
was a daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Williams) Teague, both of whom were natives
of Ohio, and the former of whom was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Rev. Mr.
Smyth removed to Calhoun county with his parents when he was seven years old,
and has ever since been a citizen of the county. His early education was
irregular and incomplete, but he never had the opportunity of attending college.
He, however, did obtain a partial academic education, teaching and attending
school alternately as best he could for some time, having W. C. Garnsey for his
preceptor. In 1848 he was ordained a minister, and from that time until 1890 he
devoted his whole time to the Baptist ministry, retiring then only on account of
ill health. It is said of him that he has performed more marriage ceremonies
than any other man in Calhoun county, and in fact more than all the ministers of
other denominations put together. In November, 1846, he was married to Miss
Nancy M. Andrews, daughter of Allen and Luranah (Yeagar) Andrews, who came from
South Carolina to Alabama in 1833. She is still living on the farm upon which
she and Mr. Andrews then settled in Calhoun county. Both she and her husband
were members of the Baptist church, in which church she still retains her
membership. To this marriage of Rev. Smyth and Miss Andrews, there have been
born three children, two of whom are living; Margaret, wife of Davis A. Long and
John A. Mrs. Smyth was born in South Carolina, March 10, 1831, and has been
connected with the Baptist church since 1847. Rev. Mr. Smyth, on September 3,
1861 was elected captain of company C, Fifth Alabama battalion, known as the
White Plains rangers. After serving one year he was taken sick with the typhoid
fever and was discharged. He had been a member of the Masonic fraternity since
1854, and has taken the royal arch and council degrees. He is at the present
time and has long been, one of Calhoun county's most substantial citizens and is
highly respected by all.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 617-618

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