Talbot-Upson-Crawford County GaArchives Biographies.....Smith, Nellie Welch And Wesley Asbury Smith, M. D.  August 15, 1867 - October 22, 1893
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
T. Bradford Willis http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00031.html#0007638 August 5, 2013, 3:08 pm

Source: The Hearne Democrat, Anthony Garnett Smith, Jr. Bible records, Anthony Joseph Smith of Florida
Author: T. Bradford Willis, DDS

Wesley Asbury Smith, MD (March 26, 1853-July 4, 1926) was the son of Anthony
Garnett Smith, Jr. and Elizabeth M. Smith, pioneers of Upson County and Talbot
County, Georgia. Dr. Wesley A. Smith came to Texas in 1886 after graduating
with honors from the Louisville Medical College. In 1887, married Nellie
Welch (1867-1893), the daughter of William Pinkney Welch and Eliza Rhea
Welch.

The following obituary appeared in the Hearne Democrat (Hearne, Robertson
County, Texas) on July 9, 1926:

"On Monday morning, July 5, funeral services for Dr. W. A. Smith, who
passed away on the previous day, were conducted in the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.
P. Welch at 10:00, the Rev. A. A. Wagnon of the Methodist Church
officiating in the rites.
Interment was in Norwood Cemetery [Hearne, Texas], where, as at the
residence of the deceased, the following served as pallbearers: Dr. H. W.
Cummings, M. M. Whitehurst, W. P. Blackstone, R. W. Marshall, A. B. Cornforth,
F. W. C. Karney.
While Dr. Smith has been in failing health for some time, his
illness did not become acute until a few days before he was claimed by death.
His only child, Mrs. Roy Smith, and grandson, Allen Smith, were
constantly with him during the last hours, and a sister, Mrs. Addie
[Adalade Smith] Howell, of West [McLennan Co., Texas]
arrived when apprised of the news of his critical condition.
Wesley Asbury Smith was a native of Thomaston, Georgia, born
in 1853, of sturdy pioneer stock of that state whose forebears figured
prominently in Revolutionary struggles. His father, Anthony Garnett Smith,
[Jr.] was a Mexican war [Texas Revolutionary War] veteran, having enlisted 
with the Texas
forces at San Felipe, after making the trip from Georgia on horseback, and 
returning to his native state when incapacitated by wounds to continue in 
service.
Dr. Smith was one of thirteen children born to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Garnett
Smith, [Jr.] and survived by five members of the group. A brother, Dr. S. Hull
Smith, makes his home in Georgia as do all the sisters with
the exception of Mrs. Addie Howell of West, [McLennan County,] Texas.
Dr. Smith came to Texas in 1886 after having prepared himself for the
practice of his profession in a Louisville, Kentucky institution from which he
graduated from with honors.
Settling in Hearne to pursue his work as a physician, he was for a time
associated in the drug business with Dr. James G. Adams, their firm location
being on the building site now occupied by the Duffey Drug Company.
Dr. Adams was postmaster when this partnership existed.
In 1887 Dr. Smith was married to Miss Nellie Welch of this city who
passed away six years after the union, leaving a daughter, Mrs. Roy
[Alline G.] Smith.
During his married life he and family lived for a time in Branchville,
but later returned to Hearne, residing here until some twenty years ago when he
went to Millican where he had a large clientele until failing health caused him
to retire from active service. Just one month ago he prevailed upon his
daughter to return to Hearne that he might spend his last days here near the
spot where he hoped to be laid for the "last long sleep" beside his wife.
A member of the Methodist church since early childhood, the deceased
continued in faith throughout his long and useful life, and looked upon the end
as a release from worldly trials.
Numbers of friends were in the Welch home for the funeral hour, and a
wealth of beautiful summer flowers contributed a softening touch to the
atmosphere of sadness.
The daughter, and other members of the family bereaved, have the
sympathy of the entire community in their sorrow."
Recently, these photographs of Wesley Asbury Smith, MD; Nellie Welch Smith;
and their daughter, Alline Olive Garnett Smith (1888-1957)
were sent to the writer of this article, who was unaware of their existence.
The photographs are from the collection of
Anthony Joseph "Joe" Smith, Sr. of Florida. Permission to place these
photographs has been given to the writer by Anthony Joseph "Mickey" Smith, Jr. 
who visited the Smith family heritage sites in Talbot County and Upson County 
this past weekend.

Additional Comments:
This article was published in the Talbotton New Era on August 1, 2013.


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