My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Pulaski 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.

* * * *

J. H. Smith, justly considered one of the leading practicing dentists of Little Rock, and well known throughout the State and Pulaski County as a prominent colored citizen, was born in Camden, Del., of free parents, on December 4, 1843. When four or five years of age his parents removed to New Jersey, where they resided until his father's death, in the meantime attending the schools at Penn's Grove. Soon after losing his father young Smith went to New York City, in 1858, where he entered the employ of Mrs. J. Bastrop, in the capacity of private secretary, at the same time attending school. From New York City he went to Philadelphia and began the study of dentistry with Dr. Clark, a celebrated dentist of that period and a friend of Mrs. Bastrop. He afterward entered the office of Drs. Longfellow & Kennard, and remained in Philadelphia for three years, fitting himself for college. About that time he was drafted in the army, but upon learning this fact, his kind friend, Mrs. Bastrop, hired a substitute and paid him $1,100, doing this without the knowledge of Smith. Previous to this Dr. Smith was one of four young men who waited on Gov. Seymour, of New York, for permission to raise a company of colored soldiers, but the Governor refused to allow the company to be raised. In 1863, when he was prepared to entered college, he was refused admittance on account of his color, so he returned to his preceptors and remained another year, at the end of which time Drs. Kennard, Longfellow & Flagg then examined him and gave him a certificate. Dr. Smith first located for practice in Pittsburgh, Penn., where he did fairly well, but one year later removed to Chicago, and began the practice of dentistry, and at the same time took a scholarship in the Business College, which he attended at night. In this city he lost all of his effects in the fire of 1871, and then came direct to Little Rock, and from thence to the lower part of the State, where he commenced teaching school in order to earn money and purchase new instruments. In 1878 he commenced practicing his profession in Little Rock, since which time he has had splendid success, his practice increasing every year. He owns a good two-story residence at 707 Broadway, fitted up in an elegant manner, but with quiet and modest taste, and the walls are adorned with some oil paintings from the Doctor's brush, which are truly works of art. He is also an inventor of some note, having invented a peach-stoner, for which he was offered $10,000 cash, but refused it. This machine is now manufactured by the Clark Novelty Company, of Rochester, N. Y., who pay Dr. Smith a handsome royalty. He also patented what is known as Smith's Patent Weather Board Gauge, by which a carpenter can put weather-boarding on a house much easier and faster than in the old way. Dr. Smith has held some honorable positions. He was one of the Garfield electors of the State; was appointed by the Government as one of the commissioners at the World's Exposition in New Orleans, in 1884. He is the founder of the Colored State Fair, at Pine Bluff, the stockholders of which represent more than $500,000 in real property. He is also the founder of several minor institutions, which have for their object the well-being of his people. Dr. Smith was married, in 1876, to Miss Florence Irine Gulliver, of Indianapolis, Ind., by whom he has had three children: Charles, Girtrude and Beatrice. In religious belief the Doctor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and take a deep interest in religious and educational matters. Mrs. Smith's mother having died a few months ago, in Indianapolis, has left a considerable property to be divided between Mrs. Smith and her sister. This, added to what the Doctor and his wife already have, will place them in easy circumstances for life.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 156 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Pulaski County, Arkansas published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Pulaski County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Pulaski County, Arkansas family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.