bio-Smith

SMITH

BIOGRAPHIES

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EDWARD W. SMITH Linneus and Lotus Creek Township, page 472

The subject of this biography, who is now serving his third term as county attorney, is a native of Linn county, and a son of Judge Jacob Smith, deceased, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. Edward W. was born September 22, 1852. His mother was Frances Crews, mentioned in the biography of her husband. Our subject is the youngest son and next to the youngest of a family of nine children. He was reared in this county, where he has always lived. His education was partly acquired in this county, and completed at McGee College. At twenty years of age he began the study of law in the office of Hon. A. W. Mullins, at Linneus, at which pursuit he remained two years. In December, 1873, he was licensed to practice, and at once began his profession in which he has been engaged ever since. In 1876 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the county on the Republican ticket; was reelected in 1878 and again in 1880. His last term is unexpired at this date. Mr. Smith was married, September 3, 1875, to Miss Maria L. Stephens, daughter of Judge George W. Stephens, of Linneus. They have one son and two daughters living, and one son dead. Though still young in years, Mr. Smith has succeeded in his profession, and his future success as a lawyer and citizen is as assured as may be that of any other gentleman of ability who brings energy, active industry, and a devoted love of his profession to bear upon all obstacles that may arise in his pathway.

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JACOB SMITH Linneus and Lotus Creek Township, page 472

(Judge Smith’s biography is over two pages in length.

If requested can be transcribed. kk )

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LUCIUS ALBION SMITH Brookfield and Brookfield Township, page 564

is the son of Ami C. and Lydia Smith, and was born at Walworth, Wayne county, New York, February 26, 1839. He lived with his parents until he became of age, receiving his education in the Walworth Academy. In 1862 he came to this State and engaged in the hotel business with E. J. Crandall, and continued one year. He was then employed by the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, in various capacities, as station agent, yardmaster, and conductor, altogether about two years, when he again became associated with Mr. Crandall, this time in the real estate business, handling the lands of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Company till 1868. In that year Mr. Smith established himself in the furniture business at Brookfield, and continued till 1870, when he sold out and went into the hardware business with Augustus Turner, the firm being Turner & Smith. They were together till 1872, when Mr. Smith retired from the firm, and while he was out of business made a visit to the East. He returned to Brookfield, and in 1876 engaged in the general merchandise business with J. B. Cooley, the latter, however, retiring in February, 1880, since when Mr. Smith has conducted his business alone. He was elected justice of the peace in 1878, held the office two years, and was reelected, his second term being unexpired at this writing. Mr. Smith is a Freemason and belongs to Brookfield Lodge No. 86, A. F. & A. M. He is a good citizen and an honorable man, and conducts his business on the principle of “live and let live”.

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RALPH SMITH Jefferson Twp. and town of Laclede, page 620

is the son of Ralph and Mary (nee Jordan) Smith, who were natives of England. His father was born in 1799 and his mother in 1800. Both are alive and enjoying good health. They are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was born June 2, 1826, while his father and mother were temporarily in the State of New York, but when he was only three weeks old they settle in Canada, being reared and educated there in Ontario Province. He was brought up as a farmer boy, but preferring professional life he entered Knox College, Toronto, where he spent seven years, and graduated from that institution is 1849. He had to resort to teaching a part of the time to enable him to raise enough money to pay his way through the college course. Mr. Smith first proposed to fit himself for the ministry, but finally determined to enter upon the dtudy and practice of the law. In 1849, after graduating, he came to the United States, locating in Shelby county, Kentucky, and was professor at the White Hall Seminary, in that county, two years. In 1851, he accepted the presidency of the Rockport Seminary, Rockport, Indiana, which position he held for five years. Meanwhile he had red law and in 1856, commenced to practice as an attorney, in partnership with Judge DeBruler. This firm continued until 1865, doing the leading business in that and adjoining counties. Mr. Smith was prosecuting attorney of Spencer county, one term during the war. At the commencement of hostilities he raised two companies and was commissioned captain, but unavoidable reasons prevented him from entering upon active service. In 1865 his health began to fail, and wishing to retire from the practice of law, he purchased his present farm near Laclede, Linn county, Missouri, and has since been engage in farming and stock-raising, occasionally practicing his profession of the law. His farm comprises three hundred and eighty acres, eighty acres of which are within the corporation limits of Laclede. He has an orchard of twenty acres, being next to the largest one in the county. Mr. Smith being an expert in fruit culture, has in his orchard the very finest selection and variety of fruit. His farm is well stocked and he makes a specialty of fine sheep, raising the Cotswold and other imported breeds. This farm and stock are valued at about $20,000. Mr. Smith was married in 1858, to Miss Susan E. Palson, daughter of Dr. John and Jane (nee Jones) Palson, a prominent physician of Dubois county, Indiana. Her mother, after her husband’s death, married a Mr. Edmonson, a prominent gentleman ant State senator, of Indiana. Mr. Smith received the nomination for judge of the Common Pleas Court, in Linn county, but not desiring to hold office, declined the honor. Mrs. Smith is well known as a lecturer upon temperance, woman’s rights, and religious subjects. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have only one child living, Jennie M. Smith. Mr. S. has been a member of the church since childhood.

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