White County ArArchives Biographies.....Smith, Elmer Wheat 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 12, 2009, 5:46 pm

Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

ELMER WHEAT SMITH.
    Elmer Wheat Smith of Searcy, who is filling the position of circuit clerk,
is a native son of White county, his birth having occurred July 20, 1889. He is
a son of J. P. and Sarah Elizabeth (Walker) Smith, who are also natives of White
county. The paternal grandfather, J. L. Smith, was a native of Mississippi and
engaged in farming in that state previous to his removal to Arkansas, which
occurred in 1850, at which time he took up his abode in White county. He
traveled across the country in a prairie schooner accompanied by five brothers
and after reaching his destination homesteaded. He also engaged in freighting
during the early days and as opportunity offered gave his attention to the
further development and improvement of his farm. He had to clear his land, which
was covered with timber and he used an ox team to break the sod and develop the
place. There was much big game to he had in this section of the country in that
early day and all of the conditions of pioneer life were here found. As the
years passed his labors resulted in the development of a good farm property and
he continued his residence in White county to the time of his death, which
occurred in 1899 when he was sixty eight years of age. In young manhood he was
married, near Searcy, to Miss Sarah Skidmore and the house in which the marriage
was celebrated is still standing, being one of the old landmarks of this section
of the state. Mrs. Sarah Smith passed to the home beyond in 1920 at a notable
age, being in her ninetieth year. The maternal grandfather of Elmer W. Smith was
A. G. Walker, who removed from Tennessee to Arkansas hut afterward returned to
the former state. Later he again came to Arkansas, taking up his abode in White
county. He opened a market in Searcy and engaged in selling meat and produce for
a number of years. He married Saline Paige and died at the age of sixty years,
while his wife departed this life at the age of sixty-two.

    J. F. Smith, father of Elmer W. Smith, was born in White county in 1852, and
acquired a common school education, pursuing his studies in one of the old-time
log schoolhouses with its homemade benches and other primitive equipment. He
remained with his parents to the age of twenty-nine years, when he married,
purchased land and began farming for himself. As his tract was covered with
timber he had to clear away the trees and brush ere he could break, the sod. He
still owns the land which he first 'purchased two miles from Searcy and has
devoted his life to general farming and stock raising. He served as deputy
sheriff of White county for a part of one term hut has never been anxious to
hold public office. He married Sarah Elizabeth Walker and to them have been born
four children: Lorena, the wife of A. I. Darnall, a salesman with the Neelly &
Smith Hardware Company at Searcy; Elmer W.; Grace, the wife of Dudley Morris,
who follows farming near Searcy; and Hettie, the wife of P. J. Davenport, who is
engaged in farming near McRae, White county. The parents are members of the
Cumberland Presbyterian church and fraternally J. P. Smith is connected with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Woodmen of the World. His
political endorsement has always heen given to the democratic party.

    Elmer W. Smith attended the country schools of White county and afterward
the high school at Searcy, while later he pursued a commercial course in the
Memphis Business College at Memphis, Tennessee, and thus became well qualified
for life's practical and responsible duties. He started out in the business
world as bookkeeper for the Sandefur-Julian Wholesale Company of Little Rock and
afterward came to Searcy to fill the position of deputy circuit clerk in 1914.
For four years he occupied that position and in 1918 was elected circuit clerk,
entering upon the duties of the office on the 1st of January, 1919. He was
reelected at the close of his first term, so that he is now serving for the
second term in office, devoting his entire time to his duties in this
connection. He is prompt, reliable and systematic and his official record is
winning him high commendation from all who know aught of his work.

    Mr. Smith was married to Miss Martha Irene Chrisp. who was born in White
county, a daughter of Horace Chrisp. They have become parents of two sons: Elmer
Wheat and Edward Forest. Mr. Smith has always given his loyal support to the
democratic party. He is well known in Masonic circles, belonging to Searcy Lodge
No. 49, A. F. & A. M., while in Albert Pike Consistory of Little Rock he
attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite in November, 1921. He
also belongs to Al Amin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He and his wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as steward, and they take
an active and helpful interest in all branches of the church work and contribute
liberally to its support. They are well known socially in Searcy, where they
have many friends, and the hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by those
who know them.


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


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