Biographical Sketch of James L. Smith, Phelps County, Missouri >From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps and Dent Counties, Missouri" The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889. ********************************************************************** James L. Smith, collector of Phelps county, Mo., was born in Grainger county, Tenn., in 1834, and his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Dyer) Smith, were both natives of the last named county, born in 1809 and 1808, respectively. Samuel Smith was a farmer, merchant, distiller and blacksmith by occupation. He was quite a successful business man, being worth $40,000 before the war, but lost it all during that struggle. In 1868 he immigrated to Phelps county, Mo., where he died in 1881. His wife died in 1851. They were the parents of nine child- ren, James L. being the third child. He assisted on the farm until sixteen years of age, and then went to Loudon, where he hired as a salesman in a general store. Here he remained four years, and then clerked on a steamer in the Tennessee River a few months. In 1855 and 1856 he was in Texas, and in 1858 went to California, where he remained until 1860. The year following he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Batta- lion Tennessee Cavalry, and was in service four years. He was in the fight at Champion's Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Winchester, Charleston, and many severe skirmishes, but never received a wound. He surrendered at Knoxville after peace was declared. In 1865 he left his native state, immigrated to Phelps county, Mo., and here hited to Joseph Camp- bell in the mercantile business, where he remained four years. In 1867 he married Miss Anastasia Rayl, a native of Cooper county, Mo., born in 1842, and they have seven children: William H., Edmund W., Joseph S., Charles B., Wesley M., Allen and Frank (twins). In 1872 Mr. Smith was elected sheriff, was re-elected in 1874, and from 1876 to 1880 he was engaged in farming and merchandising. In the last named year he was elected treasurer of Phelps county, and two years later was re-elected. From 1884 to 1888 he followed farming and sold goods. In November, 1888, he was elected as county collector of Phelps county. Mr. Smith is the owner of 320 acres of land, located eight miles north of the county seat. He has been a life-long Democrat in his political prin- ciples; is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the A.O.U.W., and Mrs. Smith is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. ==================================================================== 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 ====================================================================