My Genealogy Hound

Smiley McGill was born in Marlboro District, S. C., December 22, 1829, and was a son of Archibald C. and Catherine (McCallum) McGill, who were born in Scotland July 4, 1800, and Robeson County, N. C, respectively. Mr. McGill, the father of S. McGill, came with his widowed mother to the United States and settled in Richmond County, N. C, but after his mother's death, which occurred in that State, he spent the rest of his life in South Carolina, where he died in 1852, having been a farmer by occupation, and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. The grandfather, Archibald McCallum, was in all probability born in North Carolina, and all his life was spent in Robeson County of that State. Smiley McGill, the third of eight children, was reared on a farm, received a good classical education in the East, and after leaving school followed the occupation of teaching for twelve or fifteen years. His next pursuit was in the mercantile line, and for two or three years, or until 1861, when he came to Clark County, Ark., this continued to receive his attention. Soon after his arrival in this State he joined the First Battalion of Arkansas Infantry, but in 1863 was discharged on account of disability and came home. After recovering his wonted health he, in 1864, joined Steele's Company, Grimstead's Regiment, and served until the close of the war in Arkansas and Louisiana, and received his discharge in Minden of the latter State. In 1866 he began farming, and the following year he settled on the farm on which he is now residing, but it was then in a very wild and unimproved condition. He now has 250 of his 300 acres under cultivation, which desirable condition of affairs has come to pass through the energy and enterprise which have ever characterized Mr. McGill's efforts. He is a Democrat, politically, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and have been so for many years. Mrs. McGill was born in North Carolina, her marriage taking place in 1871, and her maiden name was Maggie S. Williamson, a daughter of Rev. Samuel and Jane C. Williamson. The former was born in York District, S. C., but in 1856 came to Hempstead County, Ark., from North Carolina, and died here in 1881, his wife having died the previous year. He was an able divine, and followed the calling of a Presbyterian minister for fifty years. He graduated from the South Carolina University at Columbia, and was afterward president of Davidson College for a period of fifteen years. Mr. and Mrs. McGill are the parents of a son, Samuel A., their only child.