Biography of William H. Smith - Conway Co, AR

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Submitted by: Cathy Barnes <bbarnes@cswnet.com>
        Date: 21 Jun 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1891.

page 113

William H. Smith, another prominent farmer of Union Township, owes
his birthplace to Phillips County, Arkansas, where he first saw the
light of day in 1854. His parents, Dr. Jonas Dudley and Viola L.
(Clindening) Smith were born near New Orleans, La., and in Sumner
County, Tennessee, respectively. Dr. Smith was a man of more than
ordinary ability and intelligence. He graduated in the medical
profession at New Orleans, married his first wife in his native
State, and after the death of his wife, he removed to Phillips
County, Arkansas, where he wedded the lady who became the mother of
the subject of these memoirs. The family resided in Phillips County
till 1860, when they removed to Des Arc, in Prairie County, where
they lived till 1869, when they removed to Woodruff County, where
Dr. Smith was called to his last resting place the same year, 1869,
after a successful career in the medical profession of a good many
years. He served for a time in the Confederate army as examining
surgeon. He was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and of
the Methodist Church. Soon after the death of her husband, Mrs.
Smith removed with her family to Jackson County, and in 1873 came to
Springfield, where she has since resided. Mrs. Smith is a devout
member of the M. E. Church, South, and is a daughter of the late
Anthony Bledsoe Clindening, who was one of the pioneers of Phillips
County, Arkansas. He afterward removed to Jackson County, where he
spent his remaining years. dying there during the war, a farmer by
occupation.

W. H. Smith is the second of three sons and two daughters, three of
whom are living, viz.: Alice, now the wife of Hon. W. S. Hanna,
Anthony C. and W. H. The last named was educated at Des Arc and at
the country schools.

He came with his mother to Springfield, and in 1876 married Miss
Mary E. Cargile, a daughter of Robert L. and Hannah Cargile, who
were among the early settlers of Conway County. Mr. Cargile was a
prominent merchant at Springfield, where he died in 1879. Mrs.
Cargile still resides at Springfield, a much respected lady. Mrs.
Smith was born near Springfield, and is now the mother of two sons
and four daughters.

Mr. Smith was engaged in the grocery business at Springfield for
about four years after his marriage, but since then has been engaged
in farming and is now the owner of a fine farm of 340 acres near
Springfield, about 150 acres of which are under cultivation. He
began life with nothing of this world's goods, and what he now
possesses is the result of his own toil and efficient management.
Mr. Smith is a Democrat in politics, and a worthy member of the A.
F. and A. M., Springfield Lodge, No. 127, having served that Order
as Junior and Senior Warden, and Senior Deacon. Mrs. Smith is a
devout member of the M. E. Church, South.