Jeff Davis-Emanuel-Telfair County GaArchives Biographies.....Smith, Joseph N. 1852 - living in 1913
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 27, 2004, 9:42 am

Author: William Harden
p. 595

   REV. JOSEPH N. SMITH. An ardent believer and upholder of the truths of the
Holy Scriptures, Rev. Joseph N. Smith, of Hazlehurst, Jeff Davis county, is
known far and wide as a man of strong convictions, and deep consecration, and as
one who is bound heart and soul to the work of the Christian ministry. A native
of Georgia, he was born, March 31, 1852, in Emanuel county, on the farm of his
father, John G. Smith.

  Born in North Carolina, John G. Smith was but a small lad when brought by his
parents to Georgia, where he grew to manhood, and subsequently made farming his
chief occupation. During the Civil war he served bravely in a Georgia regiment,
being commissioned as lieutenant of his company, and acting as captain in time
of need. He took part in many engagements of note, and in a hard-fought battle
just above Atlanta, was severely wounded. Two of his brothers, W. D. Smith and
George W. Smith, also took part in the Civil war, serving in the Thirty-second
Georgia Regiment, under Colonel Harrison. George W., the younger brother, died
while in the army, at Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, while the elder brother,
W. D., served as a private throughout the entire war, and at the engagement at
Ocean Pond being severely injured by the falling of a tree.

   Spending the first forty years of his life in Emanuel county, Joseph N. Smith
acquired his early education in the district schools, and as a boy and youth
became familiar with farm work. In early life he manifested strong religious
tendencies, and almost as a matter of course entered the ministry, becoming
associated with the Primitive Baptist church. In 1877 he was licensed to preach,
and in November, 1878, Mr. Smith was ordained to full work in the denomination,
and even now serves from one to four churches regularly. He also does contract
work as a carpenter and builder, making good use of his natural mechanical
ability and genius. Leaving his native county in 1894, Mr. Smith spent four
years in Laurens county. Going then to Telfair county, he remained in Helena
eight years, but for the past six years has maintained his home in Hazlehurst,
and has here continued active work in the ministry, meeting with a due need of
success in his labors.

   Rev. Mr. Smith married, in 1873, Miss Georgia Gillis, a daughter of A. J.
Gillis, who served as a member of the Georgia Cavalry in the Civil war, and of
Elizabeth (Ricks) Gillis. Of the eleven children born of the union of Mr. and
Mrs. Smith one child, Dora, has passed to the higher life, and ten are living,
and all are married, namely: J. A., born in 1878; J. T., born in 1880; C. O.,
born in 1885; W. L., born in 1894; Hilrie, born in 1898; Lizzie, Mollie, Mamie,
and Vernie. The family are all members of the Primitive Baptist church, and
active workers therein.


Additional Comments:
From:

A HISTORY OF SAVANNAH AND SOUTH GEORGIA
BY
WILLIAM HARDEN

VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1913

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