Benton Co., AR - Biographies - Hiram C. Smith

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Hiram C. Smith, a resident of Benton County, Ark., and the son of 
Allison and Louisa (Kates) Smith, was born July 18, 1831, in Benton 
County, near Osage Creek. The father, Allison Smith, was born in 
Tennessee, received a limited education in that State, and remained 
with his father until after his marriage, which occurred in Washington 
County, Ark., whither he had moved with his parents. After marriage he 
went to Illinois, and after moving around for some time settled in 
Washington County, Ark., but moved from there to Benton County, where 
he died in 1847. Mrs. Louisa Smith was also born in Tennessee, 
received a common education, and by her marriage to Mr. Smith became 
the mother of seven children, three now living: Hiram C., William H. 
and Mrs. Martha E. Weldon. The children who died were named Eliza M., 
Thomas J., Isaac and D. A. Allison Smith, after coming to Arkansas, 
with the aid of his wife went vigorously to work at his books, and 
thus obtained a good education. He was afterward appointed justice of 
the peace, and held this position two years, occupying that position 
at the time of his death. Mark and Annie (Allison) Smith, grandparents 
of Hiram C., were both natives of North Carolina, and were quite well 
off in this world's goods. The grandparents Kates were natives of 
Tennessee, and moved from that State to Arkansas. Very little is known 
of their history prior to that time. Hiram C. Smith, up to his 
fifteenth year, had never been located very long in any one place, and 
until that time had received no school advantages, having to work hard 
on the farm. December 31, 1850, he married Miss Lucy J. Carter, a 
native of Virginia, and a daughter of John L. and Annie (Gibson) 
Carter, who were formerly from Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were 
born ten children, eight now living: James M., Serena, Mrs. Mary J. 
Dunn, Hiram, Clinton, Robert E., Mrs. Annie Peters, Mrs. Maggie 
Douglas. Henry and John are the children who are deceased. Mr. Smith 
remained at home tilling the soil until the opening of the late 
Rebellion, when he enlisted in the Confederate army and served 
throughout the war, surrendering at Prairie Grove. He was in the 
following battles: Wilson Creek, Prairie Grove and Fayetteville, and 
many other minor engagements. During the last named battle his captain 
and a number of his associates were killed around him. During the war 
his family had been obliged to move in order to save themselves from 
being molested or burned out. After the war Mr. Smith returned home, 
but did not remain long, but went from there to Texas, where he 
remained for [p.895] one year, He then returned to the home he had 
left at the beginning of the war, and here remained for four years.
He then moved to the farm upon which he was born, and there remained
seventeen years engaged in farming, after which he moved to his 
present farm. Mr. Smith has been quite fortunate in his business 
transactions, and is now the owner of 300 acres of good land, 225 
under cultivation.