Butler County Mo Biographies REV. W. S. SMELSER By David B. Deem Submitted by: Sherry Link 2003 REV. W. S. SMELSER Deem’s History of Butler County Missouri by David Bruce Deem, Probate Judge, Butler County, MO Biographies REV. W. S. SMELSER THE minister with the longest record of service in any Butler county church is the Rev. William Sanford Smelser, pastor of the Second Baptist church of Poplar Bluff continuously since June 1, 1907. The Rev. Smelser is the son of Houston Harmon Smelser, a pioneer Ripley and Carter county Baptist minister, and Mrs. Sarah Frances Smelser, the former Miss Sarah Brooks. He was born near Doniphan in Ripley county, Mo., September 4. 1883. Reared on a farm near Grandin, Rev. Smelser attended the public schools of Ripley and Carter counties and graduated from the Grandin high school. At the age of 18 years he received a teacher’s certificate in Carter county and taught school for two years at Cross Roads rural school near Grandin, Mo. From 1904 until 1907 he attended William Jewell College at Liberty, Mo., and was engaged in Missionary work in the Cane Creek Association in the summer months. He was converted at the age of 13 and joined the Grandin Baptist church. On September 10, 1905 he was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by the Rev. R. F. Carroll, pastor of the Grandin Baptist church. The Rev. Smelser was first called to the Second Baptist church of Poplar Bluff as supply pastor in 1907. He was soon selected as regular pastor of the church and has served in that capacity since June 1, 1907. Rev. Smelser attended one term at the Southern Baptist Seminary at Louisville, Ky., in 1909 and was a student at a summer session of the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago., Ill., in 1916. Three children were born to this union. Mildred Marie was born December 21, 1910 and resides with her husband, M. C. Matthes at Hillsboro, Mo. A son, Paul Spurgeon Smelser, was born June 15, 1920. He is now attending William Jewell College at Liberty, Mo. Another son, Kenneth Judson Smelser, born February 8, 1929, died January 10, 1930. Rev. And Mrs. Smelser have one grandchild, Joana May Matthes. A writer for many years, Rev. Smelser has published two books, “Echoes from the Ozarks,” a collection of poems and sketches, and “From the Pit to Prime Minister,” an epic poem, in addition to several books which are in manuscript form. Rev. Smelser has contributed many poems, sketches and articles to various papers. A member of the Cane Creek Association for 34 years, Rev. Smelser has served the organization as moderator for over 10 years. He has resided in Poplar Bluff for the past 34 years. The Second Baptist church building was constructed in Poplar Bluff originally in 1907 and an addition was erected to the structure in 1922. Membership in 1907 totaled 66 while in 1940 the membership has reached 669. Rev. Smelser has baptized 1325 persons since he has been in the ministry and has performed 509 marriage ceremonies. He has conducted over 1600 funerals, held over 50 revival meetings and has delivered about 5000 sermons and addresses. In 1907 the Second Baptist church donated, to all purposes, $1200. Last year the church gave over $4000. Present officers of the Second Baptist church are Lem Baker, clerk and chariman of deacons; A. Vandover, general treasurer and Cecil Allen, Sunday School superintendent. ************************************************************************ PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non- commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. Unauthorized use for commercial ventures expressly prohibited. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ******************************************************************