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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1890.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Robert W. Smith, saloon owner, grain dealer and miller, Arkansas City, Ark. Among the many prominent and successful business men of Arkansas City stands the name of the above-mentioned gentleman, who is one of the much respected and esteemed citizens of Arkansas City. Robert W. Smith was born in Alabama in 1843, is the son of G. W. and C. A. (Hackney) Smith, natives of Tennessee, and the grandson of William and Elizabeth (Hulston) Smith, who were married in Sullivan County, East Tenn., on November 21, 1816. William Smith died on March 21, 1847, in Alabama, and his widow died at Henderson, Tex., on September 28, 1868. G. W. Smith was a successful agriculturist, and moved to Texas in 1849, where he was one of the pioneer settlers of Rusk County. He engaged in farming and stock-raising, and although he was a carpenter by trade, he spent the greater part of his life engaged in tilling the soil, at which he was very successful. He was married on December 27, 1838, in Tallapoosa County, Ala., and died January 25, 1852. Mrs. Smith died in Henderson, Rusk County, Tex., on October 20, 1868. G. W. Smith was a man universally respected for his straightforward conduct, his established integrity and great honesty. Of the seven children born to his marriage, only three are now living, though four lived to maturity: Elizabeth J. (died at the age of eleven years, at Henderson, Tex.), W. L. (died at the age of seventeen years, at McKenzie Institute, Tex.), W. C. (resides in New Mexico, engaged in stock-raising), J. M. S. (is editor of a newspaper in Mississippi), and J. C. (who was born July 14, 1849, in Henderson, Tex., and died November 2,1889, at the residence of his brother, R. W. Smith, of Arkansas City; he was a printer by trade, came to Arkansas City on October 21, 1877, and on the 10th day of November of the following year, he, in partnership with Mr. George W. Beck, now of the Arkadelphia Herald, purchased the Arkansas City Post, and established the Arkansas City Journal; they ran the paper for two years and then sold it to Col. J. W. Dickinson. He was a Master Mason of good standing, having joined that order in Belton, Tex., and was universally liked). Robert W. Smith received the rudiments of an education in the common schools of Henderson, Rusk County, Tex., and at the age of fourteen years he entered college at Dangerfield, Tex., remained there two years, and although he did not graduate he received a superior education for the time he was attending school. He joined with the Southern cause in the late unpleasantness, and when but eighteen years of age, enlisted in Company F, First Regiment Volunteers, Texas Mounted Riflemen, under Gen. H. E. McCullough. He served with this company for twelve months, and although he had no battles with the Northern army, he had two quite severe engagements with the Indians. He was discharged April 20, 1863, came home, and the company was reorganized before May 14, 1863. Mr. Smith was in Company B, Independent Scouts, and upon arriving at Little Rock, he was placed in McKee’s squadron, and was on duty from Van Buren, Mo., to Little Rock, and from that place to this portion of the State. He was engaged in a very severe fight at Van Buren, with Gen. Jeff Thompson in command, and on Christmas day, 1863, he returned to Little Rock, in charge of prisoners, where he remained for some time. In 1863 he was sent to Gaines Landing, on the Mississippi River, where he was detailed to watch gunboats, etc., and serve as advance picket from here. He was ordered to Arkadelphia, and later engaged in the battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, Duble Bridges, and one other battle where Gen. Thomas Green was killed. Later he was sent to Waterproof, on the Mississippi River, to capture a gunboat to transfer a portion of the army to the east side of the river, but found the boat too well manned. They contented themselves, however, by taking some prisoners who were foraging on the land, but during some excitement all the prisoners succeeded in making their escape. From there his command was ordered to Pine Bluff, but found that place in the hands of the Union forces, and the command was then ordered to Texas, where he received a furlough to go home. In the spring of 1865 he was ordered to the Brazos River, when his command was paroled. He came home and learned the trade of carriage painter at Henderson, Tex., and remained there for some time. He was there married to Miss S. M. Hicks, who only lived about twelve months after her marriage, her death occurring in 1867. In 1885 Mr. Smith was married to Miss F. F. Dunaway of this county, and to them have been born two children: Hicksey (deceased) and Etta C. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Smith is a Mason, a member of Riverton Lodge No. 296, is also a member of the K. of P., Valley Lodge No. 21, Uniform rank of same Lodge No. 12. Mr. Smith is a K. of H., and is also a member of the K. & L. of H. After leaving Henderson, Tex., Mr. Smith moved to Bolivar County, Miss., farmed for two years, and in 1873 came to Arkansas City, then a small place, and engaged at his trade of painting. In 1875 he first opened his saloon business, and since then he has also been engaged in the wholesale flour and grain business, and various other enterprises. He now owns one of the finest residences to be found in the city, and his business house, besides owning several other business houses, a number of vacant lots, and he is one of the most enterprising men of this section. He is captain of the Hook and Ladder Company of the city.

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This family biography is one of 80 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Desha County, Arkansas published in 1890.  For the complete description, click here: Desha County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

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