Clinton-Johnson County IN Archives Biographies.....Smith, Robert Emory C. 1869 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 14, 2010, 5:39 pm

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ROBERT EMORY C. SMITH, one of the successful and well-known teachers of Clinton
county, now residing near Kirklin, was born in Johnson county, Ind., November 2,
1869. He is of Scotch, Irish and English descent, and is of prominent, early
families of Indiana.  His paternal grandfather, Robert Smith, moved from
Virginia to Indiana, in 1833. He was a typical pioneer and fearlessly withstood
the trials and incidents peculiar to a pioneer's life. He married Elenor
McKinney, a most estimable lady of Irish descent; this marriage was blessed with
several children, of whom only two now survive. Being left a widower, he married
Louisa E. Clem, a most estimable lady of Johnson county. This union was blessed
with several children, but one of whom now survives. He lived an exemplary life,
was a worthy citizen, a devout and consistent Christian, and was called from
labor to reward, in 1873.

   His maternal grandfather, Clark Gregg, who was born in Franklin county, is a
representative of sturdy Scotch ancestry and traces the genealogy of the Gregg
family back to one Samuel Gregg, who was born in Scotland in the year 1699. In
the year 1711, the said Samuel Gregg emigrated from Scotland to Pennsylvania.
According to family tradition, he married an accomplished and distinguished
English lady, and they resided in or near Philadelphia; from this marriage
sprang Clark Gregg, who married Martha Bowling, a lady of Franklin county; this
union was blessed with five children—Nancy E., Margaret J., Cassius M., Aaron G.
and Mary H.; of these five children, three are deceased. Mr. Gregg was an
economic, ingenious and hard-working mechanic, and by his persistent energy he
became possessor of a good farm in Franklin county, and here he labored as a
mechanic and at farming until 1859, when he purchased a farm in Illinois and
moved thither in the same year. But there are few households without their
vacant chairs, and in 1861 the remorseless and unwelcome visitor of death
visited the family and carried away the mother as his trophy. The remainder of
the family lived in Illinois until 1863, when they moved to Johnson county, Ind.
 Mr. Gregg was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and worthily
exemplified that faith by his daily walk. In politics he was a stern
abolitionist and fearlessly advocated the doctrine of the party mentioned. His
father's home was a station on the underground railroad, and many a poor,
fugitive slave was safely conducted to places of security and rest by the
instrumentality of this fearless anti-slavery family. Mr. Gregg showed by his
life that "Honor and shame from no conditions rise," and having taught this
noble lesson so worthy of imitation by all, he quietly and peacefully sank to
repose in 1873.

   William T. Smith, father of Emory, was born in Johnson county, Ind.,
September 16, 1837. By occupation he was a farmer, and brick-mason, at which
trades he worked alternately until 1861, when it seemed that the nation would be
rent in twain. When the news came flashing northward of the battle of Bull Run,
he was one of the loyal legion that reported to the call for volunteers, and in
July, 1861, he enlisted in company I, Eighteenth Indiana volunteer infantry,
under Capt. Jonathan Williams, of Franklin, Ind., for three years' service. He
was a participant in the Missouri campaign, was in the battle of Pea Ridge and
several other hard-fought battles; being taken sick he was sent to Benton
Barracks hospital, St. Louis, Mo., whence he returned home and was discharged in
1863. He then began farming as soon as able, and also worked a portion of his
time at the brick-mason's trade. He was united in marriage to Nancy E. Gregg in
1864, and soon purchased a farm in Johnson county, where he resided until 1879,
when he exchanged that farm for a farm in Clinton county. Mr. Smith was a shrewd
business man, a good financier, went through all the trials and discouragements
incident to a frontier life, but steadily worked his way upward and secured a
handsome property. He was an ardent republican and championed without fear the
cause of the republican party. He was from early years connected with the
Methodist Episcopal church, and lived a worthy, consistent, christian life. His
death occurred at the age of forty-six. His wife, a faithful member of the
Methodist church, and a most estimable lady, is still living. To Mr. and Mrs.
Smith were born five children: Arthur A., Martha E., Louisa J., Carl C. and one
who died in infancy.

   Mr. Smith, whose name heads this record, began school in his fifth year, and
at the age of nine was a fourth-grade pupil. At the age of sixteen he graduated
from the township school. His father's death made it necessary for him to work
upon the farm, but he has always been a great lover of history, a great reader
and a lover of any subject that would aid in educating him. In 1892 he began
teaching and has made that his vocation since, having followed it with most
excellent success. He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, being identified with
Capt. W. H. Hart camp, No. 118, Division of Indiana; has filled with honor and
competency nearly all the offices in this loyal order, and points with pride to
the fact that his father was one of those who helped to crush the foe. He is
also a member of Kirklin lodge, No. 443, F. and A. M., and in this lodge is the
honored secretary. In politics he is a stalwart republican, and was one of those
who helped to bring about the political revolution in November, 1894. He is
prominent in his party and has served as delegate to the county conventions.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
A PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
BOONE, CLINTON and HENDRICKS COUNTIES, IND.,
CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY
Prominent and Representative Citizens,
TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHIES AND PORTRAITS OF ALL THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED
STATES, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS OF INDIANA.
CHICAGO: A. W. BOWEN & CO.
1895.


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