Sampson County NcArchives Biographies.....Smith, Owen Lun West 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Rosie H. Guthrie n/a January 5, 2010, 6:48 pm

Source: Cyclopedia
Author: James T. White Co.

Owen Lun West Smith

Clergyman and diplomat - was born at Giddensville, Sampson County, North 
Carolina, May 18, 1851, son of Ollen Smith and Maria Hicks. 

When but a boy he was carried into the Confederate army as a servant, but 
happening to be at home when Sherman's army advanced on its triumphant march 
from the South, when he was less than fourteen years of age, he left his 
mother and accompanied Sherman's army northward in search of liberty.

He was at the battle of Bentonsville, and marched with his regiment to 
Washington by way of Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg and Alexandria.

After quitting the army he saw many hardships but surmounted them and by 
perserverance acquired an education, which he received in the common schools 
of North Carolina, and at the University of South Carolina during 1874-76, 
where he also read law.

He first taught school in 1871, and during 1873-74 he was a magistrate in 
South Carolina. He entered the ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal 
Church in 1881. 

After the Republican victory of 1896, Mr. Smith was appointed minister 
resident and consul-general of the United States to the republic of Liberia, 
his candidacy being endorsed by the governor and the leading state officials 
of North Carolina. He retained this position until 1902, when he returned to 
the United States. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Livingston 
College in 1898. 

Mr. Smith was married twice: in 1878 to Lucy A. Jackson of Whiteville, NC, who 
died July 6, 1891; and Nov. 29, 1892, to Adora Estella Oden of Beaufort, NC, 
and has two children.

Additional Comments:
Source:
The National Cyclopedia 
of American Biography
Volume XIV
1910

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