Logan-Franklin County ArArchives Biographies.....Smith, J. J. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 31, 2009, 9:07 am

Source: See Full Citation
Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

J. J. SMITH, M. D.
    Dr. J. J. Smith, actively and successfully engaged in the practice of
medicine and surgery at Paris, was born in northern Alabama, January 7, 1854,
and is a son of Arthur F. and Mary Jane (Adams) Smith, who were also natives of
northern Alabama. His paternal grandfather married a Miss Frazier and both were
natives of North Carolina, whence they removed to Kentucky, afterward to
Tennessee and eventually settled in the wilderness of northern Alabama, casting
in their lot with the pioneers who first planted the seeds of civilization
there. After residing for a time in northern Alabama, following their marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Smith removed to Franklin county, Arkansas, in the spring of
1860, and there the father owned and developed a farm and also worked to some
extent along mechanical lines. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all
personal and business considerations and joined the Confederate army, dying at
the front on the 3d of April, 1863, when forty-three years of age, his birth
having occurred in 1820. His wife, who was born in 1828, survived him until
1896. They were the parents of eight children, five of whom are living: J. J.;
H. A., who occupies the old home farm in Franklin; Frank, a retired farmer
living in Paris; A. M., who is engaged in medical practice with his eldest
hrother; and Mary A., the wife of L. C. Gammill of Wetumka, Oklahoma, where he
is engaged in law practice. The parents were members of the Baptist church and
enjoyed the high respect of all with whom they came into contact.

    J. J. Smith acquired his early education in one of the little, primitive
schools of Franklin county, Arkansas, and after putting aside his textbooks as a
student he devoted three years to teaching. He had been reared to farm life and
in vacation periods had always worked in the fields. He regarded teaching,
however, merely as an initial step to other professional labor, for it was his
desire to enter upon the practice of medicine and eventually he saw the
beginning of the fulfillment of his hopes when he became a student in the
medical college of Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, where he was
graduated in 1879. Desiring still further to perfect himself for his chosen
calling, he matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, and was there graduated in 1891. He practiced in Logan county,
Arkansas, and in 1899 removed to Paris, where he opened an office. In the early
days he rode horseback over a wide territory in order to respond to the call of
his patients. Today he has a large and successful practice in Paris, and his
ability is widely acknowledged, for from time to time he has taken postgraduate
work in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans and Boston, and in this way
and through wide private reading he has kept thoroughly informed concerning the
latest methods and scientific researches of the profession. He is today the
oldest practicing physician in Logan county and his ability prevents any one
winning from him his position of professional leadership. He now devotes
practically all of his time to surgery and is most thoroughly skilled and
efficient in this field. His name is likewise well known in financial circles,
for he has been the president of the American Bank & Trust Company for the past
fifteen years.

     In 18S0 Dr. Smith was married to Miss Ida Childers, who was born in
Illinois, a daughter of Isaac Childers, who died while serving in the Union
army. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Christian church and a most estimable lady.
Dr. Smith has always voted with the democratic party, but the honors and
emoluments of office have never had attraction for him. He has always preferred
to concentrate his efforts and attention upon his professional duties, which
have constantly developed in volume and importance as the years have passed.
Today he concentrates largely upon surgery and is conducting a well-equipped
hospital, which was built in 1911 and has a capacity of fifteen beds. Dr. Smith
belongs to the Logan County and Arkansas State Medical Societies, also to the
American Medical Association, was the president of the Tenth Councilor District
Medical Society in 1920, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
His name has become a synonym for marked efficiency and ability in his chosen
profession and he enjoys in large measure the confidence and good will of his
colleagues and contemporaries.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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