SMITH BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== SMITH, Benjamin Franklin - b: 1827 Saline Co, MO source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 594 residence: Windsor Twp Benjamin Franklin Smith, M.D., druggist and physician, was born in Saline County, Missouri, May 12, 1827, and was the son of Abraham Smith, a Virginian by birth, who lived for many years in Tennessee where he married Miss Sarah Pierce. In 1822 he moved to Missouri, and in 1838 he died when forty-eight years of age. His wife was born in Tennessee in 1801 and died in 1881. B. F. Smith received a common school education and was very studious in youth. He studied medicine with Dr. Hobbs, of Independence, in 1848, and graduated from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1852, and has been an active practitioner since that time. Locating in Warrensburg, he practiced for five years, going thence to Eldorado, Missouri, where he lived until 1865, Then he moved to Carson City, Colorado, and started a drug store, and entered into a large practice which was continued until 1872, when he returned to Windsor, Missouri. He bought out the drug store of M. L. Stafford, and has since been doing a large business and attending to a remunerative practice. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican war under Colonel A. W. Doniphan in Captain J. W. Reed's Company, of Saline County. He remained with Colonel Doniphan through all his memorable marches, until the expiration of his time, receiving much credit from his commander for gallant conduct on the field of battle. Since returning home the doctor has crossed the plains to Colorado and New Mexico several times, and has traveled up and down in the mountains for a 1,000 miles, spending some ten years in that country. He was elected county treasurer of Fremont County, Colorado, in 1864 and re-elected in 1868, serving for four years. In 1873 he received Robert M. Funk as a partner in the drug business, and this firm are still doing the business. He married Miss Adeline Depp in 1853, in Warrensburg, Missouri. She was the daughter of John Depp, of Kentucky, and was born in 1832. They have five children: Oscar L. (now prosecuting attorney of Carter County, Missouri), Benjamin O. (telegraph operator on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad), Virginia Wallace (Mrs. B. D. Patrick, of Appleton City, Missouri), Jesse Fremont and Lelia (Mrs. W. H. Walker, whose husband is editor and publisher of the Windsor Review). Politically the doctor is a Democrat. He has been an Odd Fellow for thirty-four years and a Mason for thirty-two years, and he is a member of both lodges in this city. He has indeed been the architect of his own fortune, and his reputation as a practitioner is wide spread. ==================================================================== SMITH, George F. source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 712 residence: Leesville Twp George F. Smith - The first home of George F. Smith, widely known "old settler" of Leesville township, living south of the village of Coal, was a log cabin. Forty- seven years ago he settled upon his first forty acres in Leesville township, cleared the land of timber, suffered from chills and fever, worked hard and planned ahead for a beautiful home. He has realized his ambitions and now owns one of the most attractive farm residences in Henry County, combining the old time ideas of a Virginia home with modernity and occupying a beautiful setting in the timbered country from which Mr. Smith has created his fine farm. The first "forty" has grown to four "forties," or a total of 160 acres of well tilled land. The Smith farm is well improved with a fine farm residence of seven rooms, erected in 1880 and remodeled in 1890. George F. Smith was born in Patrick County, Virginia, September 17, 1847, and is the son of Foulks and Mary Ann (Handy) Smith, both members of old Virginia families. For further particulars the reader is referred to the sketch of Joseph H. Smith, brother of the subject of this review. George F. Smith was reared and educated in Virginia and came to Missouri in 1868. He was first employed as a hired hand at monthly wages for one year. He made rails at a wage of $1.25 to $1.50 per hundred and became an expert rail splitter, able to cut and split from 100 to 130 fence rails per day. Mr. Smith in his younger days was an expert at both axe wielding and at "the table." Strong in body and very active he was an expert with the old fashioned cradle and his services were in demand during the wheat harvest season. He received $18 to $20 per month and his board for this work. In the meantime he enjoyed life while working hard and after a hard days work in the field he would follow the hounds in an exciting fox hunt all night long. For years he kept a pack of fox hounds and also treed and caught many "coons." He made his first purchase of land in 1871, when he bought forty acres, which was only partly cleared of timber. He has cleared and improved this tract as well as three others of the same size, and went in debt for land each time when he made a purchase, believing that the best plan is to let the land help pay for itself. January 7, 1869, George F. Smith and Susanna C. Nichols were united in marriage. This marriage was blessed with children as follow: William F., the successful merchant at Coal, Missouri; George Henderson, accidentally killed, was born December 14, 1873, and died January 27, 1896; Mrs. Kate Trollinger, Oklahoma; Lenney, a farmer of the neighborhood; Finis Frances, died at the age of one year; Mrs. Adella McCowan, a former teacher now living at Malvern, Iowa; Mrs. Lillie D. Randalls, living near Tightwad, Henry County; Cora Edith, a successful teacher for the past four years, and a student of the Warrensburg State Normal School; Jennie, died in 1905 at the age of thirteen years. Mr. Smith is a Democrat and loyal to his party and its principles. He is a deacon in the Presbyterian Church at Coal and is one of the best known of the substantial and well to do old settlers of Henry County. ==================================================================== SMITH, Harry P. source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 653 residence: Urich, Bogard Twp Harry P. Smith, of the firm of Smith & Graham, leading furniture dealers and undertakers of Urich, Missouri, and mayor of Urich, is a native son of Henry County. He was born in Bogard township, this county, December 21, 1871, and is a son of William L. and Selina (Dewberry) Smith. The father was a native of western New York, born in 1823, and his wife was a native of England, who came to America with her uncle and Rasho Black when she was fifteen years of age. The father died in March, 1881, and the mother died in January, 1911, and the father is buried in Grant Cemetery in Cass County, Missouri. Mrs. Smith's remains were interred in Urich Cemetery. The Smith family settled in Henry County shortly after the Civil War, locating in Bogard township. The father was a plasterer by trade and after coming to this county he worked at his trade at intervals. He served for six years in the United States Navy and during the Civil War he served in the Union Army, being a member of Company F, 78th Regiment Illinois Infantry. During the course of his military service he participated in many important battles and campaigns, among which might be mentioned Sherman's march to the sea. After the close of the war he was mustered out of service by general order of the war department, June 7, 1865. To William L. and Salina (Dewberry) Smith were born the following children: Mrs. Maria Helms, Creighton, Missouri; G. R., Greencastle, Indiana; Edward C., deceased; C. F., farmer in Bogard township; Mrs. Susie DePew, Urich, Missouri; Harry P., the subject of this sketch; Albert E., died in 1896, and Mark D., farmer in Bogard township. Harry P. Smith was reared to manhood on the home farm in Henry County and received his education in the public schools. He began his mercantile career in Urich in the confectionery business, which he followed for three years. He was then clerk in a dry goods store about three years in Urich, and then in partnership with Charles L. Graham, he bought out the furniture and undertaking business of Ray & Clarey. This was in 1911, and he has successfully been engaged in that business since that time. Mr. Smith was united in marriage March 8, 1896, with Miss Amanda E. Graham, a daughter of James L. and Irene (Brooks) Graham. A sketch of Mr. Graham appears in this volume. Mr. Smith is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights and Ladies of Security. He is one of the substantial and progressive business men of Henry County and stands high in the community. Mr. Smith has served as alderman of Urich for two terms and is now filling the post of mayor of the city, serving his second term in this office. ==================================================================== SMITH, John - b: 1845 Adams Co, OH source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 771 residence: Bear Creek Twp John Smith, farmer and stock raiser, section 4, came originally from Adams County, Ohio, where he was born April 17, 1845. James P. Smith, his father, was a Kentuckian by birth, but early moved to Ohio with his parents, and settled in Adams County, where he grew to manhood and married Susan Thomas, also of Kentucky. The subject of this sketch went to Iowa with his parents in 1858, and located in Lee County, near Keokuk. His youth was spent on a farm, and he was educated at the public schools, supplemented with six months attendance at the Keokuk select school. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served till discharged in December, 1864, participating in a number of important engagements, among which were the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and Red River, Arkansas, and after his discharge he moved to Clark County, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming until 1872. He came to Henry County in 1878. His farm contains 160 acres. A large portion of the place is underlaid with coal. The soil is a black loam and very productive. Mr. Smith was married in Scotland County, Missouri, March 22, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Bryan, of Iowa, and a daughter of Nicholas Bryan. They have three children: Walter F., born May 8, 1873; Luther H., born April 1, 1876, and Mary I., born February 14, 1881. Mrs. Smith is a member of the M. E. Church South. ==================================================================== SMITH, Joseph H. source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 584 residence: Leesville Twp Joseph H. Smith - Forty-eight years ago Joseph H. Smith came from his old Virginia home and settled upon a tract of timber land in the south-western part of Leesville township, cleared the land, placed it in cultivation and in the course of time built a good home and beautified his surroundings. During all these years he has been well content to live upon his eighty acre farm engrossed with the duty of rearing and educating his large family of children. He has become well to do, gained wisdom with age, kept himself well informed on the events of the day and takes a keen interest in living and all that is going on in the world. Joseph H. Smith was born April 21, 1845, in Patrick County, Virginia. He is the son of Foulks and Mary Ann (Handy) Smith, both of whom were members of old Virginia families, the former of English extraction and the latter of German descent. Foulks and Mary Ann Smith were parents of children as follow: Mrs. Lucinda Deatheridge, San Antonio, Texas; Samuel F., a soldier in the Confederate Army, killed in the fighting around Fort Donelson; Mary E., deceased; Ruth, died in early childhood; Joseph H., of this review; George F., a farmer in Leesville township; Mrs. Elitha Warner, living in Nebraska; Mrs. Sarah Alice Smith, deceased; John L. Smith, a bachelor, lives just south of his brother's place; Mrs. Ida Deatheridge, living on a farm one mile north. Foulks Smith came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1871 and spent his last days among his children, dying in October, 1878, at the age of sixty-eight years. Joseph H. Smith enlisted in 1861 in Company A, 50th Regiment Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army and served until the surrender of General Lee. He fought in the following battles: Fort Donelson, Fredericksburg, Sharpsburg, Winchester, Gettysburg, the Seven Days Battle of the Wilderness, besides many skirmishes and minor engagements. He was twice slightly wounded in battle. During a skirmish in Blackwater, Virginia, General Pryor was in command of the division. The Confederates were encamped near the enemy in a grove in the fall of the year. The night was rather chilly. Some of the soldiers woke up, stirred the smoldering fires, and before daylight the enemy captured the picket posts. An attack followed. The camp woke up and began to defend themselves. Shells began to come thick and fast. The Confederates were all surprised and excited but finally got in line for battle. Colonel Poague, commander of the regiment, was killed during the first part of the attack by the Unionists. As the men were lined up ready to begin the fight and repulse the Unionists and the firing was becoming faster and faster, all along the line, just at sunrise, General Pryor came riding down the line. Joseph H. Smith was standing munching away at a roasted sweet potato. He was still somewhat excited especially over the death of Colonel Poague, yet could find time to eat. As the general came near the young soldier he called out: "General, did you know that Colonel Poague was killed?" The general stopped his horse, eyed the soldier boy and his big sweet potato, and said: "Did you ever hear of a war but what somebody was killed? Please give me part of that potato." The general took half of the sweet potato and the fighting went on. Returning to his home after the close of the war Mr. Smith found the whole country devastated, farms ruined, people penniless, business stagnant, and the outlook for the future so discouraging that he deemed it useless to try to make a new start. Added to these drawbacks was the restless feeling which possessed the returned soldier, who had been use to stirring outdoor life for four years. He decided to come West. Accordingly, in the fall of 1866, he came to Henry County, Missouri, with little capital and began the improvement of his fine farm, which he purchased in 1870, in Leesville township. During over half a century he has been one of the respected and influential figures in the citizenship of Henry County and is widely known for his progressiveness. Mr. Smith was married in 1869 to Mrs. Frances Helen (Parks) Nichols, a widow. The children born to this marriage are: Ida Lee, a teacher in Colorado; Hugh A., holding a professorship as head of the department of romance and languages at Wisconsin University, Madison, Wisconsin, holds a master's and doctor's degree and has studied at Harvard University; Elmer, living in Iowa; Pinckney, who studied at the Missouri University; John M., a farmer in Leesville township; Audrey, wife of Professor Lionberger, Norris, Henry County; Mrs. Mary Jewett Poague, Benton County, Missouri; Norma, a teacher in the public schools of Colorado; Winifred and Helen, at home with their parents, and are teachers. Every member of this family has taught school, excepting Elmer. Each of the children has attended high school, either at Windsor, Clinton or Appleton City. Mrs. Frances Helen Smith, mother of this fine family, was born in Henry County in 1854, and is the daughter of Mrs. Catherine Nichols, a widow who came to Henry County during the early thirties. The Democratic party has always had the firm support of Mr. Smith, and he has always taken a keen interest in political matters, although he has never been a seeker after political preferment. The cause of education has generally been uppermost in his desires and he has lent his energies and influence toward the building of good schools in his neighborhood and has always been emphatically in favor of better educational advantages for the young. He was one of the leaders in the movement which culminated in the erection of a more modern building in his school district and is a firm friend of good schools. He is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Keen, intelligent, well posted on everyday events, he is a fine conversationalist who impresses one with his progressive ideas and broad outlook upon life. ==================================================================== SMITH, Thomas J. - b: 1828 Preston Co, VA source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 780 residence: Leesville Twp Thomas J. Smith, farmer and stock feeder, section 19, was born in Preston County, Virginia. July 12, 1828, his parents being Riley and Eleanor Smith, both natives of Virginia. The family early moved to Ohio, where they lived a few years, going thence to Indiana, locating in Hancock County near Greenfield, where Riley Smith died about 1838 or 1840. After his father's death, Thomas J. bound himself out until he arrived at his majority. His youth was spent on a farm mostly in Tipton County, and he had but limited opportunities for schooling, though having applied himself closely to study in later years. He was married in Tipton County, August 9, 1849, to Miss Ann Dickson, originally from Fayette County, Indiana, and a daughter of William and Sarah Dickson. Mr. Smith located and improved a farm in the green woods of Tipton County, and lived on it six years. He then sold out and removed to the county seat, and embarked in the mercantile business and stock dealing, continuing in this trade for six years. Purchasing 365 acres adjoining the town, he giving his attention to farming and stock trading until 1880. He came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1880, and purchased a farm containing 162 acres, where he now resides. He makes a specialty of handling and feeding stock. Mr. S. is identified with the Democratic party and takes an active interest in political matters. He was elected and subsequently re-elected and served six years as county judge of Tipton County, his former home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a family of three children. William R., Charles Watson and Ora Dell. He is one of the leading auctioneers of Henry County, and has acted in this capacity for a number of years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. ==================================================================== SMITH, William F. source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 505 residence: Coal, Leesville Twp William F. Smith - The store of William F. Smith, located at Coal, Henry County, Missouri, is, without doubt, the finest country merchandise store in western Missouri. Taking charge of this establishment in 1906, with very little previous training or experience in merchandising, the proprietor built up the business and placed this store upon a plane far ahead and above the average of general country stores. The spick and span appearance of the store interior, the modern fixtures bright with paint and varnish, attract the eye and please the patrons and visitors who stop to admire the extraordinary appearance, as contrasted with the usual cluttered up and untidy appearance of the average country store. When Mr. Smith took charge of the business the stock of goods would not exceed over $475 in value by the actual invoice. Mr. Smith moved the old building, cut an arch and built over the main store room. The main floor is 22x58 feet with two store rooms in addition. The stock of goods carried is valued at $10,000, and only the best of merchandise is carried. The Smith store is also an exchange depot, and large quantities of produce are taken in exchange for goods which are hauled to Clinton for shipment. The goods are all arranged on the departmental plan and the Smith store will compare favorably with the best in the cities. The Smith store at Coal, Missouri, was first established in 1890 and known for a time as the Wheeler store. The location is an excellent one but for some reason or other the venture did not prosper and was losing money for the owners when Mr. Smith took charge in March, 1894. For four years he operated the business as manager and then, in partnership with his father, George F. Smith, purchased the business. Father and son owned the store together until 1906, when the present proprietor took charge as sole owner of the business. No greater success is recorded in mercantile circles in the rural districts of Henry County or western Missouri than that of W. F. Smith, the merchant at Coal. The fame of this store has spread far and near. William F. Smith was born four and a half miles south of Coal, on his father's farm in Leesville township, January 3, 1870. He is the son of George F. Smith, a pioneer settler of Henry County, concerning whom an extended review is given in this volume. Mr. Smith received his education in the district schools and when twenty-four years of age he engaged in the mercantile business with hardly any intention of remaining in the business indefinitely. His practical intention was to close out the business later, but as the years passed he found that he was adapted to the business and has achieved a marked success. At first he and his brother bought the store in partnership and planned to close out the stock. The following February his brother George was accidentally shot, and William F. took hold as related in a preceding paragraph. November 27, 1894, William F. Smith and Mary E. Parks were united in marriage. Mrs. Mary E. Smith is the daughter of J. T. Parks, a resident of the village of Coal. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: Flossie May, wife of Clyde H. Tope, and has one child, Pauline; Ura V., a pupil in the eighth grade of the public schools; and Erie H. Smith. Mr. Smith has always been a Democrat and served as trustee of Leesville township when the present system of township government was instituted. He served two terms in this office. He and Mrs. Smith are members of the Presbyterian Church. ==================================================================== SMITH, William H. - b: 1855 Abingdon, IL source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 594 residence: Windsor Twp Prof. William H. Smith, county superintendent of schools and principal of the Windsor schools, was born in Abingdon, Illinois, in 1855. His father J. B. Smith was of Kentucky birth, as was also his mother, formerly Harriet Amos. They moved to Illinois in an early day, and came to Missouri in 1858, but during the war returned to Illinois. In 1867, they settled in Calhoun, Henry County, Missouri, where they lived for several years. William H. was the second of four children. From his boyhood he was determined to obtain an education, and accordingly his spare time was spent in study and preparing for college. He entered Abingdon College, Illinois, and in 1880 graduated with great credit. In 1875 he commenced teaching and paid his own expenses through college. In the spring of 1881, he was elected school superintendent of Henry County. The same year he was principal of the Union School. Professor Smith has done much to improve the schools of the county, and has so systematized and arranged the whole system that every one is justly proud of the school, and its elevating influence upon society. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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