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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Greene County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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Irvin G. Smith, whose career as a farmer has been one of success and prosperity, was born in Benton County, Tenn., in 1846, and is the son of John and Fannie (Erp) Smith, both natives of North Carolina, who came to Benton County, Tenn., with their parents when children. They were married in that State after growing up, and there the father followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1877 at the age of fifty-six years. The mother died in 1862 at the age of forty years. In their family were seven children, six of whom are still living: Irvin G., Disa (now Mrs. Smith), Harvey, Jonathan, Berry H., Thomas W. and Simpson. Harvey died at the age of eighteen years. Irvin G. Smith attained his majority on a farm in Tennessee, and when of age commenced for himself on the home place, where he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in the Confederate army, Forty-ninth Tennessee; the regiment was captured at Fort Donelson and taken to Chicago. Mr. Smith was sick at this time and was at home. As soon as able he went back to the army, joined the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, and served until the close of the war. He was captured at or near Johnsonville, Tenn., and was put on a parole of honor. He participated in the Okolona, Miss., battle, was also in the battle of Yazoo City, Bolivar, Tenn., Johnsonville, Tenn., and in a number of other engagements. After the cessation of hostilities Mr. Smith returned to Tennessee, resumed his farming interests, and thus continued until 1873 when he came west to Arkansas and located in Greene County, three miles southwest of where he now lives. In 1876 he moved to his present property, where he has remained ever since. He was married in 1868 to Miss Louisa Swindle, a native of Benton County, Tenn., born in 1844, and the daughter of Thomas and Mariam Swindle, natives respectively of South Carolina and Kentucky. Thomas Swindle went from South Carolina to Illinois, thence to Tennessee, where he was married in 1832, and is still living in Benton County, Tenn. He was born in the year 1814, as was also his wife. She died March 16, 1872. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After the death of his wife Mr. Swindle married Mrs. Nancy Harris, who still survives. Mrs. Smith is one of twelve children, eight of whom are living, born to her parents. She was reared in Tennessee, and by her marriage to Mr. Smith became the mother of three children, all living: Martha A., wife of William Swindle, now residing in Greene County, Ark.; Walter D. and Cordal C., at home. Mr. Smith resides three and a half miles southwest of Gainesville, where he has improved a good farm and has 155 acres under cultivation. He is an active worker in school affairs, and is director in his district. He served as deputy sheriff in 1881-8283 and 1884 under Mr. Willcockson, and served as constable of his district to fill a vacancy. In 1883 he was elected to that position, which he held one term. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

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This family biography is one of 120 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Greene County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Greene County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Greene County, Arkansas family biographies here: Greene County, Arkansas Biographies

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