JONES COUNTY, GA - BIOS  Robert J. Smith

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Memoirs of Georgia, Vol. II, Atlanta, Ga., Page 450
Published by The Southern Historical Association in
1895


Robert J. Smith, planter, Round Oak, Jones Co., Ga.,
son of Robert J. and Sarah T. (O’Bryan) Smith, was born
in Floyd County, Va., Aug. 8, 1837.  His grandfather,
William D. Smith, was of English extraction, was an
officer in the revolutionary army six years, and then
fought the Indians three years.  He was a large and
handsome man, and after he left the military service
became a Methodist preacher.  When Mr. Smith was eight
years old his father, who was a planter, removed from
Virginia to Bradley County, Tenn.  There they reared a
family of five children: William D., who was a
Methodist preacher, deceased; Charles H., deceased;
Robert J., the subject of this sketch; Mattie, wife of
L.J. Hughes, Bradley County, Tenn., and Susan C., who
died when twelve years of age.  Mrs. Smith died in
1861, and Mr. Smith died in 1873.  Mr. Smith was
educated at and was graduated from Hiwassee College,
Tenn., in 1862, with the degree of A.B., and later
received the degree of A.M.  He was physically unable
to participate in the war, so between the ages of
eighteen and twenty-four he taught and attended school
alternately.  In 1862 he left Tennessee and came to
Murray County, Ga., where he taught school one year,
and then went to Putnam County, where he taught until
1875.  He then farmed until 1877, when he located on a
plantation of 2,000 acres.  He has neither sought nor
held any public office, devoting his time exclusively
to his extensive planting interests, excepting two
years he served on the democratic executive committee
for the county.  As a teacher he was popular and
successful, being well educated and well read and of an
unusually impressive presence and personality.  Mr.
Smith was married Dec. 14, 1875, to Miss Sallie M.,
daughter of Benjamin and Sallie (Shropshire) Barron,
one of the wealthiest and most influential families in
that section, Mr. Barron having represented the county
in the general assembly.  His children all occupy a
fine social position.  Mr. Smith has had but one child
born to him, Sallie B., who died when seven years of
age.  Mr. Smith is a democrat, a royal arch Mason and a
Methodist; is a steward of the church in his community.
He has a beautiful home and takes great pride in
keeping it in good order.