MARION COUNTY, GA - BIOS Critton J. Smith Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Typed by Carla Miles Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/marion.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Memoirs of Georgia, Vol. II, Atlanta, Ga., pages 491-492 Published by The Southern Historical Association in 1895 MARION COUNTY Critton J. Smith, farmer, Draneville, Marion Co., Ga., son of Tennyson and Frankie (Thomas) Smith, was born in Marion county in 1852. His paternal grandparents, George L. and Gillie (Peddie) Smith, were born in North Carolina and migrated thence to Alabama, whence a few years later he removed to Marion county. He owned a great deal of land and many slaves, was a member and a preacher of the Christian church. Mr. Smith’s father was born in Alabama, but early in life removed to Marion county and settled where he now lives. At the time he made his settlement the woods were full of Indians. He was a soldier in the Indian war of 1836. He has made a life pursuit of farming, at which he has been satisfactorily successful and enjoyed prosperity. He has been a justice of the peace many years and is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Smith’s maternal grandparents, George and Polly Thomas, were natives of North Carolina, where they lived all their lives. He was a farmer and very wealthy. Mr. Smith was reared on the farm and received only the limited education obtainable during his boyhood. His principal occupation has been that of a farmer, but he was in a general merchandise business about eight years. He has been successful in his undertakings, is recognized as a progressive, prosperous farmer, and as one of Marion county’s substantial citizens. He now owns about 1,800 acres of good farming land, including a well-improved farm. Mr. Smith was married in 1877 to Miss Willie A. Bell, born in Stewart county in 1859, daughter of Charles and Susan (Singer) Bell. Mr. Bell was a native Georgian and a teacher by profession. He was a soldier in the Indian war of 1836, and died in Marion county. The offspring of this union were eight children: Eurela, Lena, Alberta, Arthur, Rubbie, Mary, Lillie, and Willie A. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are prominent and exemplary members of the Methodist church.