Biographical Sketch of Joseph F. Smith, Laclede County, Missouri >From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri" The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889. ********************************************************************** Joseph F. Smith, retired, was born in Portsmouth, N. H., September 15, 1816, and is a son of Francis and Martha (Mitchell) Smith, the former a native of New Market, N. H., and the latter a native of Kittery, Me. They moved to Portland, Me., where the father died, but the mother died in Jersey City, N. J. The father was a shoemaker by trade, and follow- ed this occupation during his youth. He was for many years a cutter in one of the largest establishments in Portland. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and the father of six children, two now living: Samuel, who resides in Kansas; and Joseph F., who was reared in the city of Portland, Me., where he was educated. He served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's and joiner's trade, and was engaged in Boston, Mass., for one summer. He then went South, and helped build up Brunswick, Ga. He assisted in building the first house that was erected in this noted city, going to the woods to hew the timber. He afterward returned to Portland, where he remained a short time, and in 1860 he landed in Lebanon, Mo., coming up on the 'Frisco Railroad, as far as it was com- pleted, which was some distance from Rolla. There he hired wagons to move his property to Lebanon. Previous to this, however, in 1842, he married Miss Martha J. Stearnes, a native of Westfield, Mass., and lived in Chicago one year. He moved from there to St. Louis, where he resided about fifteen years, being engaged in the manufacturing busi- ness with Clark, Renfrou & Co., Eagle Foundry. Before leaving he was a partner in the St. Louis Agricultural Works. At this time the popu- lation of St. Louis did not exceed 80,000. After coming to Lebanon, Mo., Mr. Smith erected the first steam mill in that city, and this he operated until 1872. During the war he was taken prisoner, was put in the guard house, but was brought out in order to grind their grist, though watched over with a guard and gun. Afterward he had to sleep in the woods for safety. The country was as yet sparsely settled, and Mr. Smith witnessed many hardships during the war, but he stood up to his principles manfully, and pulled through all right, although his life was often threatened. He is now retired from active business life, and is enjoying the fruits of his industry. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for over forty years, becoming a member of the St. Louis Lodge No. 5 while living in St. Louis. He is also a member of the Encampment, and is Past Chief Patriarch, having been elected to the Grand Encampment. This is an organization in which Mr. Smith has always taken a great interest, and has been a good and useful member. To Mr. Smith's marriage were born six children, four now living: Fannie the wife of James Appling; Isabel, wife of T. H. Jones; Charles A.; and Jennie, wife of Dr. C. F. Wright, of Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Congregational Church. While living in St. Louis Mr. Smith was engaged in buildin circular saw mills. He put up saw mills in different portions of the Union, and traveled thousands of miles in order to do so. ==================================================================== 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. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell ====================================================================