SMITH  BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri
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SMITH, Benjamin Franklin - b: 1827 Saline Co, MO
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 594
residence: Windsor Twp

Benjamin Franklin Smith, M.D., druggist and physician, was born in Saline County, 
Missouri, May 12, 1827, and was the son of Abraham Smith, a Virginian by birth, 
who lived for many years in Tennessee where he married Miss Sarah Pierce. In 
1822 he moved to Missouri, and in 1838 he died when forty-eight years of age. 
His wife was born in Tennessee in 1801 and died in 1881. B. F. Smith received a 
common school education and was very studious in youth. He studied medicine 
with Dr. Hobbs, of Independence, in 1848, and graduated from the University of 
Louisville, Kentucky, in 1852, and has been an active practitioner since that 
time. Locating in Warrensburg, he practiced for five years, going thence to 
Eldorado, Missouri, where he lived until 1865, Then he moved to Carson City, 
Colorado, and started a drug store, and entered into a large practice which was 
continued until 1872, when he returned to Windsor, Missouri. He bought out the 
drug store of M. L. Stafford, and has since been doing a large business and 
attending to a remunerative practice. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican war 
under Colonel A. W. Doniphan in Captain J. W. Reed's Company, of Saline County. He 
remained with Colonel Doniphan through all his memorable marches, until the 
expiration of his time, receiving much credit from his commander for gallant 
conduct on the field of battle. Since returning home the doctor has crossed the 
plains to Colorado and New Mexico several times, and has traveled up and down in 
the mountains for a 1,000 miles, spending some ten years in that country. He was 
elected county treasurer of Fremont County, Colorado, in 1864 and re-elected in 
1868, serving for four years. In 1873 he received Robert M. Funk as a partner in 
the drug business, and this firm are still doing the business. He married Miss 
Adeline Depp in 1853, in Warrensburg, Missouri. She was the daughter of John 
Depp, of Kentucky, and was born in 1832. They have five children: Oscar L. (now 
prosecuting attorney of Carter County, Missouri), Benjamin O. (telegraph operator 
on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad), Virginia Wallace (Mrs. B. D. Patrick, of 
Appleton City, Missouri), Jesse Fremont and Lelia (Mrs. W. H. Walker, whose 
husband is editor and publisher of the Windsor Review). Politically the doctor is 
a Democrat. He has been an Odd Fellow for thirty-four years and a Mason for 
thirty-two years, and he is a member of both lodges in this city. He has indeed 
been the architect of his own fortune, and his reputation as a practitioner is 
wide spread.

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SMITH, George F.
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 712
residence: Leesville Twp

George F. Smith - The first home of George F. Smith, widely known "old settler" 
of Leesville township, living south of the village of Coal, was a log cabin. Forty-
seven years ago he settled upon his first forty acres in Leesville township, 
cleared the land of timber, suffered from chills and fever, worked hard and 
planned ahead for a beautiful home. He has realized his ambitions and now owns 
one of the most attractive farm residences in Henry County, combining the old 
time ideas of a Virginia home with modernity and occupying a beautiful setting 
in the timbered country from which Mr. Smith has created his fine farm. The first 
"forty" has grown to four "forties," or a total of 160 acres of well tilled land. The 
Smith farm is well improved with a fine farm residence of seven rooms, erected 
in 1880 and remodeled in 1890. George F. Smith was born in Patrick County, 
Virginia, September 17, 1847, and is the son of Foulks and Mary Ann (Handy) 
Smith, both members of old Virginia families. For further particulars the reader 
is referred to the sketch of Joseph H. Smith, brother of the subject of this 
review. George F. Smith was reared and educated in Virginia and came to Missouri 
in 1868. He was first employed as a hired hand at monthly wages for one year. He 
made rails at a wage of $1.25 to $1.50 per hundred and became an expert rail 
splitter, able to cut and split from 100 to 130 fence rails per day. Mr. Smith in 
his younger days was an expert at both axe wielding and at "the table." Strong in 
body and very active he was an expert with the old fashioned cradle and his 
services were in demand during the wheat harvest season. He received $18 to $20 
per month and his board for this work. In the meantime he enjoyed life while 
working hard and after a hard days work in the field he would follow the hounds 
in an exciting fox hunt all night long. For years he kept a pack of fox hounds and 
also treed and caught many "coons." He made his first purchase of land in 1871, 
when he bought forty acres, which was only partly cleared of timber. He has 
cleared and improved this tract as well as three others of the same size, and 
went in debt for land each time when he made a purchase, believing that the best 
plan is to let the land help pay for itself. January 7, 1869, George F. Smith and 
Susanna C. Nichols were united in marriage. This marriage was blessed with 
children as follow: William F., the successful merchant at Coal, Missouri; George 
Henderson, accidentally killed, was born December 14, 1873, and died January 27, 
1896; Mrs. Kate Trollinger, Oklahoma; Lenney, a farmer of the neighborhood; Finis 
Frances, died at the age of one year; Mrs. Adella McCowan, a former teacher now 
living at Malvern, Iowa; Mrs. Lillie D. Randalls, living near Tightwad, Henry 
County; Cora Edith, a successful teacher for the past four years, and a student of 
the Warrensburg State Normal School; Jennie, died in 1905 at the age of thirteen 
years. Mr. Smith is a Democrat and loyal to his party and its principles. He is a 
deacon in the Presbyterian Church at Coal and is one of the best known of the 
substantial and well to do old settlers of Henry County. 

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SMITH, Harry P.
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 653
residence: Urich, Bogard Twp

Harry P. Smith, of the firm of Smith & Graham, leading furniture dealers and 
undertakers of Urich, Missouri, and mayor of Urich, is a native son of Henry 
County. He was born in Bogard township, this county, December 21, 1871, and is a 
son of William L. and Selina (Dewberry) Smith. The father was a native of 
western New York, born in 1823, and his wife was a native of England, who came 
to America with her uncle and Rasho Black when she was fifteen years of age. 
The father died in March, 1881, and the mother died in January, 1911, and the 
father is buried in Grant Cemetery in Cass County, Missouri. Mrs. Smith's remains 
were interred in Urich Cemetery. The Smith family settled in Henry County 
shortly after the Civil War, locating in Bogard township. The father was a 
plasterer by trade and after coming to this county he worked at his trade at 
intervals. He served for six years in the United States Navy and during the Civil 
War he served in the Union Army, being a member of Company F, 78th Regiment 
Illinois Infantry. During the course of his military service he participated in 
many important battles and campaigns, among which might be mentioned 
Sherman's march to the sea. After the close of the war he was mustered out of 
service by general order of the war department, June 7, 1865. To William L. and 
Salina (Dewberry) Smith were born the following children: Mrs. Maria Helms, 
Creighton, Missouri; G. R., Greencastle, Indiana; Edward C., deceased; C. F., farmer 
in Bogard township; Mrs. Susie DePew, Urich, Missouri; Harry P., the subject of 
this sketch; Albert E., died in 1896, and Mark D., farmer in Bogard township. Harry 
P. Smith was reared to manhood on the home farm in Henry County and received 
his education in the public schools. He began his mercantile career in Urich in the 
confectionery business, which he followed for three years. He was then clerk in a 
dry goods store about three years in Urich, and then in partnership with Charles 
L. Graham, he bought out the furniture and undertaking business of Ray & Clarey. 
This was in 1911, and he has successfully been engaged in that business since 
that time. Mr. Smith was united in marriage March 8, 1896, with Miss Amanda E. 
Graham, a daughter of James L. and Irene (Brooks) Graham. A sketch of Mr. Graham 
appears in this volume. Mr. Smith is a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Knights and Ladies of Security. He is one of the substantial and 
progressive business men of Henry County and stands high in the community. Mr. 
Smith has served as alderman of Urich for two terms and is now filling the post 
of mayor of the city, serving his second term in this office. 

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SMITH, John - b: 1845 Adams Co, OH
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 771
residence: Bear Creek Twp

John Smith, farmer and stock raiser, section 4, came originally from Adams 
County, Ohio, where he was born April 17, 1845. James P. Smith, his father, was 
a Kentuckian by birth, but early moved to Ohio with his parents, and settled in 
Adams County, where he grew to manhood and married Susan Thomas, also of 
Kentucky. The subject of this sketch went to Iowa with his parents in 1858, and 
located in Lee County, near Keokuk. His youth was spent on a farm, and he was 
educated at the public schools, supplemented with six months attendance at the 
Keokuk select school. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-first Missouri 
Volunteer Infantry, and served till discharged in December, 1864, participating 
in a number of important engagements, among which were the battles of Shiloh, 
Corinth, and Red River, Arkansas, and after his discharge he moved to Clark 
County, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming until 1872. He came to Henry 
County in 1878. His farm contains 160 acres. A large portion of the place is 
underlaid with coal. The soil is a black loam and very productive. Mr. Smith was 
married in Scotland County, Missouri, March 22, 1870, to Miss Mary E. Bryan, of 
Iowa, and a daughter of Nicholas Bryan. They have three children: Walter F., born 
May 8, 1873; Luther H., born April 1, 1876, and Mary I., born February 14, 1881. 
Mrs. Smith is a member of the M. E. Church South.

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SMITH, Joseph H.
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 584
residence: Leesville Twp

Joseph H. Smith - Forty-eight years ago Joseph H. Smith came from his old 
Virginia home and settled upon a tract of timber land in the south-western part 
of Leesville township, cleared the land, placed it in cultivation and in the course 
of time built a good home and beautified his surroundings. During all these years 
he has been well content to live upon his eighty acre farm engrossed with the 
duty of rearing and educating his large family of children. He has become well to 
do, gained wisdom with age, kept himself well informed on the events of the day 
and takes a keen interest in living and all that is going on in the world. Joseph H. 
Smith was born April 21, 1845, in Patrick County, Virginia. He is the son of 
Foulks and Mary Ann (Handy) Smith, both of whom were members of old Virginia 
families, the former of English extraction and the latter of German descent. 
Foulks and Mary Ann Smith were parents of children as follow: Mrs. Lucinda 
Deatheridge, San Antonio, Texas; Samuel F., a soldier in the Confederate Army, 
killed in the fighting around Fort Donelson; Mary E., deceased; Ruth, died in early 
childhood; Joseph H., of this review; George F., a farmer in Leesville township; 
Mrs. Elitha Warner, living in Nebraska; Mrs. Sarah Alice Smith, deceased; John L. 
Smith, a bachelor, lives just south of his brother's place; Mrs. Ida Deatheridge, 
living on a farm one mile north. Foulks Smith came to Henry County, Missouri, in 
1871 and spent his last days among his children, dying in October, 1878, at the 
age of sixty-eight years. Joseph H. Smith enlisted in 1861 in Company A, 50th 
Regiment Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army and served until the 
surrender of General Lee. He fought in the following battles: Fort Donelson, 
Fredericksburg, Sharpsburg, Winchester, Gettysburg, the Seven Days Battle of the 
Wilderness, besides many skirmishes and minor engagements. He was twice 
slightly wounded in battle. During a skirmish in Blackwater, Virginia, General 
Pryor was in command of the division. The Confederates were encamped near the 
enemy in a grove in the fall of the year. The night was rather chilly. Some of the 
soldiers woke up, stirred the smoldering fires, and before daylight the enemy 
captured the picket posts. An attack followed. The camp woke up and began to 
defend themselves. Shells began to come thick and fast. The Confederates were 
all surprised and excited but finally got in line for battle. Colonel Poague, 
commander of the regiment, was killed during the first part of the attack by the 
Unionists. As the men were lined up ready to begin the fight and repulse the 
Unionists and the firing was becoming faster and faster, all along the line, just 
at sunrise, General Pryor came riding down the line. Joseph H. Smith was 
standing munching away at a roasted sweet potato. He was still somewhat 
excited especially over the death of Colonel Poague, yet could find time to eat. 
As the general came near the young soldier he called out: "General, did you know 
that Colonel Poague was killed?" The general stopped his horse, eyed the soldier 
boy and his big sweet potato, and said: "Did you ever hear of a war but what 
somebody was killed? Please give me part of that potato." The general took half 
of the sweet potato and the fighting went on. Returning to his home after the 
close of the war Mr. Smith found the whole country devastated, farms ruined, 
people penniless, business stagnant, and the outlook for the future so 
discouraging that he deemed it useless to try to make a new start. Added to these 
drawbacks was the restless feeling which possessed the returned soldier, who 
had been use to stirring outdoor life for four years. He decided to come West. 
Accordingly, in the fall of 1866, he came to Henry County, Missouri, with little 
capital and began the improvement of his fine farm, which he purchased in 1870, 
in Leesville township. During over half a century he has been one of the respected 
and influential figures in the citizenship of Henry County and is widely known for 
his progressiveness. Mr. Smith was married in 1869 to Mrs. Frances Helen (Parks) 
Nichols, a widow. The children born to this marriage are: Ida Lee, a teacher in 
Colorado; Hugh A., holding a professorship as head of the department of romance 
and languages at Wisconsin University, Madison, Wisconsin, holds a master's and 
doctor's degree and has studied at Harvard University; Elmer, living in Iowa; 
Pinckney, who studied at the Missouri University; John M., a farmer in Leesville 
township; Audrey, wife of Professor Lionberger, Norris, Henry County; Mrs. Mary 
Jewett Poague, Benton County, Missouri; Norma, a teacher in the public schools of 
Colorado; Winifred and Helen, at home with their parents, and are teachers. Every 
member of this family has taught school, excepting Elmer. Each of the children 
has attended high school, either at Windsor, Clinton or Appleton City. Mrs. 
Frances Helen Smith, mother of this fine family, was born in Henry County in 
1854, and is the daughter of Mrs. Catherine Nichols, a widow who came to Henry 
County during the early thirties. The Democratic party has always had the firm 
support of Mr. Smith, and he has always taken a keen interest in political 
matters, although he has never been a seeker after political preferment. The 
cause of education has generally been uppermost in his desires and he has lent 
his energies and influence toward the building of good schools in his 
neighborhood and has always been emphatically in favor of better educational 
advantages for the young. He was one of the leaders in the movement which 
culminated in the erection of a more modern building in his school district and is 
a firm friend of good schools. He is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Keen, 
intelligent, well posted on everyday events, he is a fine conversationalist who 
impresses one with his progressive ideas and broad outlook upon life. 

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SMITH, Thomas J. - b: 1828 Preston Co, VA
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 780
residence: Leesville Twp

Thomas J. Smith, farmer and stock feeder, section 19, was born in Preston 
County, Virginia. July 12, 1828, his parents being Riley and Eleanor Smith, both 
natives of Virginia. The family early moved to Ohio, where they lived a few 
years, going thence to Indiana, locating in Hancock County near Greenfield, where 
Riley Smith died about 1838 or 1840. After his father's death, Thomas J. bound 
himself out until he arrived at his majority. His youth was spent on a farm 
mostly in Tipton County, and he had but limited opportunities for schooling, 
though having applied himself closely to study in later years. He was married in 
Tipton County, August 9, 1849, to Miss Ann Dickson, originally from Fayette 
County, Indiana, and a daughter of William and Sarah Dickson. Mr. Smith located 
and improved a farm in the green woods of Tipton County, and lived on it six 
years. He then sold out and removed to the county seat, and embarked in the 
mercantile business and stock dealing, continuing in this trade for six years. 
Purchasing 365 acres adjoining the town, he giving his attention to farming and 
stock trading until 1880. He came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1880, and 
purchased a farm containing 162 acres, where he now resides. He makes a 
specialty of handling and feeding stock. Mr. S. is identified with the Democratic 
party and takes an active interest in political matters. He was elected and 
subsequently re-elected and served six years as county judge of Tipton County, 
his former home. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a family of three children. William R., 
Charles Watson and Ora Dell. He is one of the leading auctioneers of Henry County, 
and has acted in this capacity for a number of years. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity.

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SMITH, William F.
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 505
residence: Coal, Leesville Twp

William F. Smith - The store of William F. Smith, located at Coal, Henry County, 
Missouri, is, without doubt, the finest country merchandise store in western 
Missouri. Taking charge of this establishment in 1906, with very little previous 
training or experience in merchandising, the proprietor built up the business and 
placed this store upon a plane far ahead and above the average of general country 
stores. The spick and span appearance of the store interior, the modern fixtures 
bright with paint and varnish, attract the eye and please the patrons and visitors 
who stop to admire the extraordinary appearance, as contrasted with the usual 
cluttered up and untidy appearance of the average country store. When Mr. Smith 
took charge of the business the stock of goods would not exceed over $475 in 
value by the actual invoice. Mr. Smith moved the old building, cut an arch and 
built over the main store room. The main floor is 22x58 feet with two store 
rooms in addition. The stock of goods carried is valued at $10,000, and only the 
best of merchandise is carried. The Smith store is also an exchange depot, and 
large quantities of produce are taken in exchange for goods which are hauled to 
Clinton for shipment. The goods are all arranged on the departmental plan and the 
Smith store will compare favorably with the best in the cities. The Smith store 
at Coal, Missouri, was first established in 1890 and known for a time as the 
Wheeler store. The location is an excellent one but for some reason or other the 
venture did not prosper and was losing money for the owners when Mr. Smith took 
charge in March, 1894. For four years he operated the business as manager and 
then, in partnership with his father, George F. Smith, purchased the business. 
Father and son owned the store together until 1906, when the present proprietor 
took charge as sole owner of the business. No greater success is recorded in 
mercantile circles in the rural districts of Henry County or western Missouri 
than that of W. F. Smith, the merchant at Coal. The fame of this store has spread 
far and near. William F. Smith was born four and a half miles south of Coal, on his 
father's farm in Leesville township, January 3, 1870. He is the son of George F. 
Smith, a pioneer settler of Henry County, concerning whom an extended review is 
given in this volume. Mr. Smith received his education in the district schools and 
when twenty-four years of age he engaged in the mercantile business with hardly 
any intention of remaining in the business indefinitely. His practical intention 
was to close out the business later, but as the years passed he found that he was 
adapted to the business and has achieved a marked success. At first he and his 
brother bought the store in partnership and planned to close out the stock. The 
following February his brother George was accidentally shot, and William F. took 
hold as related in a preceding paragraph. November 27, 1894, William F. Smith 
and Mary E. Parks were united in marriage. Mrs. Mary E. Smith is the daughter of J. 
T. Parks, a resident of the village of Coal. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children: 
Flossie May, wife of Clyde H. Tope, and has one child, Pauline; Ura V., a pupil in 
the eighth grade of the public schools; and Erie H. Smith. Mr. Smith has always 
been a Democrat and served as trustee of Leesville township when the present 
system of township government was instituted. He served two terms in this 
office. He and Mrs. Smith are members of the Presbyterian Church.

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SMITH, William H. - b: 1855 Abingdon, IL
source: 1883 History of Henry Missouri , National Historical Co. - page: 594
residence: Windsor Twp

Prof. William H. Smith, county superintendent of schools and principal of the 
Windsor schools, was born in Abingdon, Illinois, in 1855. His father J. B. Smith 
was of Kentucky birth, as was also his mother, formerly Harriet Amos. They 
moved to Illinois in an early day, and came to Missouri in 1858, but during the 
war returned to Illinois. In 1867, they settled in Calhoun, Henry County, Missouri, 
where they lived for several years. William H. was the second of four children. 
From his boyhood he was determined to obtain an education, and accordingly his 
spare time was spent in study and preparing for college. He entered Abingdon 
College, Illinois, and in 1880 graduated with great credit. In 1875 he commenced 
teaching and paid his own expenses through college. In the spring of 1881, he was 
elected school superintendent of Henry County. The same year he was principal of 
the Union School. Professor Smith has done much to improve the schools of the 
county, and has so systematized and arranged the whole system that every one is 
justly proud of the school, and its elevating influence upon society.

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