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Rev. Clark SMITH was born in Caldwell County, Ky., March 30, 1846. His parents were Spencer R. and Sarah (CLAYTON) SMITH, and his grandfather was also Spencer SMITH. The latter was a blacksmith, a worker in wood and also a farmer. His early days were spent in North Carolina, but he afterward became one of the early settlers of Kentucky. His son, Spencer R., grew to manhood on his father's farm, and was educated in the subscription schools of Caldwell County. Here he was married in 1843, and settled down to tilling the soil, but in 1856 moved westward and located on a farm in Lawrence County, Mo. He enlisted in the Mexican War, but before his command reached the field, peace was declared. He and wife became the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living at the present time: Sanford, Clark, Frances, Elizabeth (wife of Frank MASON), Spencer, Sarah (wife of John HELN), Lavina (wife of Adam GARINGER). Mr. Smith warmly espoused the Southern cause during the late war, and was killed at the battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861. His son, Rev. Clark Smith, remained with his mother on the farm until his marriage in 1867 with Malania L. GARINGER, when he settled on a farm of his own. She was born and reared in Lawrence County, her parents being among the early settlers, and became the mother of eight children: Mary L., Martha A., Dora, Walter Scott, Nora, Pearlie, Knowles and Myrtle. When about twenty years of age Mr. Smith united with the Christian Church, and soon after began preaching the Gospel. He was ordained in November, 1867, and since that time has been one of the leading ministers of his denomination. He was one of the leading spirits in erecting the Concord, St. Elmo, Mount Etna and other churches in Lawrence and the surrounding counties. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres, which is well cultivated and well stocked. He is a Prohibitionist in his political views.
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Granville SMITH. Among the many progressive and successful farmers of Lawrence County, Mo., may be mentioned Mr. Smith. He is a son of John and Barbara (HOLT) SMITH, and was born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1826. The father was an early resident of Indiana, but after living there about nine years moved to Missouri in 1839, and settled in Greene County, and afterward in Barry County, where he kept a public inn or way-house, where stock men and drovers made their stopping place. He died in 1864, leaving four children--three daughters and one son. Granville Smith made his home with his father until the latter's death, when he purchased the home farm upon which he lived until 1874, then sold out and moved to Lawrence County. He located on a fine farm of 280 acres near Marionville, which under his skillful management, has become one of the most attractive farms and pleasantest homes in Lawrence County. Besides his farm he owns a one-half interest in a large store building in Marionville, which is located on the square, and is a valuable piece of property. Mr. Smith served in the Union army during the late war, enlisting in 1862 in the State Enrolled Militia, serving two and a half years under Capt. J. M. MOORE. He was taken prisoner on Crane Creek, but after seven days captivity was recaptured by Capt. FLAGG at the battle of Wilson's Creek. He then returned home and engaged in the peaceful pursuit of farming. In January, 1861, he was married to Miss Sarah BURROUGHS, by whom he has had ten children, seven of whom are living: Mary (Mrs. James YOACHUM), Cornelia, Martha A. (Mrs. David KIMES), John (married to Mollie GAMMEL), Henry A., William and Helen. Mr. Smith is a Royal Arch Mason, and his wife and three oldest daughters are members of the Baptist Church.
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J. C. SMTH, the other editor of the Peirce City Democrat, was born in Audrain County, MO., February 16, 1848. His father and mother, Joseph and Malinda (GARNER) SMTH, were the parents of thirteen children, seven of whom lived. The parents came to Missouri when their son, J.C., was but four years old, and the father laid out the town of Pleasant Gap, in Bates County. He was a large property and slave owner, and during the war was in Shelby's brigade. He died of wounds received at Marshall, Saline County, in 1864. J. C. Smith was reared on a farm at Pleasant Gap, and in 1869 engaged in the printing business. He came to Peirce City in 1873, and began editing the Democrat in connection with Mr. JONES. He is a first-class printer, and thoroughly understands the business in which he is engaged.
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Dr. James H. SMITH, physician at Mount Vernon, Mo., is of German descent, and the son of George W. SMITH and the grandson of -------- SMITH, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and was there married to Miss Margaret RAYHILL, who bore him eight children. They moved to Bullitt County, Ky., and after a residence here for some years they came to Illinois. This was about 1840. They settled in Lawrence County on a farm, and here Mr. Smith soon after died. His son, George W. Smith, was born in Kentucky in 1823, and grew to manhood on the farm, receiving a common-school education. He was a young man when he came to Lawrence County, Ill., and he here married Miss Jane BAIRD, daughter of James BAIRD, of Lawrence County, Ill., and of Scotch descent. The fruits of this union were four children, James H. being the only one who lived to maturity. G. W. Smith was a prosperous farmer, owning 640 acres of land. He died March 10, 1856, at the age of thirty-three years. He was a Democrat politically. Dr. James H. Smith, son of the above, was born in Lawrence County, Ill., on his father's farm, February 20, 1846, and received a liberal education at Cecilial College, Hardin County, Ky. He then studied medicine under Dr. Silas Hall, of Lawrenceville, Ill., and afterward began the practice of his profession at that place. He then attended two full courses of medicine at the Physio-Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and then continued the practice of medicine at Lawrenceville, meeting with good success. He married Miss Lizzie A. SPENCER, daughter of William and Lucy (WITTAKER) SPENCER, who were of English descent. The Spencers were Lawrence County people, formerly from Tennessee and Indiana. To the Doctor and Mrs. Smith were born ten children, seven now living: Lillian H., Jasper L., Leni L., Bertha J., James W., Hattie and Winnie. In 1887 Dr. Smith came to Lawrence County, Mo., and has since brought his family to reside in Mt. Vernon. A large and lucrative practice was immediately opened to the Doctor, which for the short time he has been in this county is remarkable. His treatment is satisfactory and effective. The physio-medical practice, or, as formerly known, the old Thomasonian practice, consists almost entirely of botanical treatment. As it is little known in this section the following explanation is necessary: Physio is from the Greek, phusis, nature or things natural. It is found in the physiology--phusisor logos--a discourse on natural laws. The title of physician is derived from the same word, and means a follower of nature. Medical is understood by all, meaning to medicate or heal. Physio-medical, therefore, means the art of healing by following nature, or the treatment of disease in harmony with the laws of life. All true science is based on nature's laws. Conforming to nature, physio-medical practice rejects every poison, for poisons are dangerous to life, and can do nothing but harm. They aggravate disease, retard recovery, break down the constitution, and leave in the body diseases of their own making. The physio-medical school is the only one that rejects poisons and the theories that justify their use. It uses in treatment the hundreds of powerful yet harmless agencies that nature has provided for the cure of diseases, and uses them on principles that harmonize with the laws of life, and speedily restores health without damage or taint to the constitution. Both Dr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Christian Church, and in political opinions he is a Democrat, but a strong temperance man, using no alcohol in his practice. He is in favor of local option. It is needless to say that the Doctor is a man of high moral character and a gentleman. He is a very skillful physician, and is very successful in his practice.
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William H. SMITH, one of the substantial citizens of Lawrence County, Mo., is a native of the county, and was born on December 11, 1844. His parents, Alexander and Elizabeth (HARPER) SMITH, were natives of Illinois, who settled in Lawrence County, Mo., at an early day. Here they spent the remainder of their lives, dying at a ripe old age, beloved and respected by all. Alexander Smith was of English descent, and came to Lawrence County a poor man, but when he died left over 600 acres of some of the finest land in the county, all of which was under a fine state of cultivation. William H. Smith was reared on his father's farm, and upon attaining his majority engaged in farming for himself. He has made that a life vocation, and now has one of the best improved farms in the county. It comprises 270 acres of land, well adapted to farming and stock raising. Having received only the rudiments of an education in the subscription schools common to the days of his boyhood, he has since greatly increased his fund of knowledge by much desultory reading and close observation. His wife, to whom he was married in Lawrence County, was Mary A. JENNINGS, a native of the county, who was born in 1849. To their union have been born nine children, eight of whom are living: they are Pleasant A., Joseph, James W., Samuel E., Fred L., George A., Myrtle and John A. The one dead is Sarah E. From November 8, 1863, to August 8, 1865, Mr. Smith served in the Union army as a member of Company A, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, and is an active member of the G. A. R.
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