My Genealogy Hound

Capt. Jackson Smith, farmer, of Bourbois Township, was born in St. Louis County, thirteen miles southwest of the city, in 1833, and is the eighth of six sons and four daughters born to Henry and Jane (Watson) Smith. The father was probably born in St. Louis County, and the mother in one of the Carolinas. Mr. Smith’s people were among the pioneers of St. Louis County when the city of St. Louis was a mere French trading post of bark shanties. Henry Smith married, and lived there until 1839, when he removed to Gasconade County, on Bourboise Creek, where he built a water-mill, and operated the same until his death, in 1851. He served a number of years as a ranger against the Indians, and was for many years justice of the peace in St. Louis and Gasconade Counties. The mother of Jackson died in 1841, and of the seven children now living only two are in the same county. After the death of his first wife Mr. Smith married Mrs. Mary Ann Sorrell, who bore him one child, now deceased. Jackson Smith received his education in the common schools, and after the death of his father began working for himself as a farm hand, which he continued but a short time. He then began teaching school in the winter and followed farming in the summer, for about eight or nine years. In 1858 he married Miss Mary, daughter of Hon. James A. and Elizabeth Matthews, formerly of Tennessee, where Mrs. Smith was born, but early settlers of Gasconade County. Her father was county judge fourteen years, was a member of the Legislature, and was a prominent citizen. He died in 1871. Her mother is still living, and is eighty years old. The following five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Webster A., James A., Henry A. W., Scippio A. and Elizabeth Jane. Since 1859 Mr. Smith has been on his present farm of 240 acres, situated two miles east of Cleavesville. He was captain and adjutant of the Thirty-fourth Enrolled Missouri Militia. He was formerly elected lieutenant of Company K, but received the commission of captain and adjutant first, and held the same until the close of the war. A Democrat politically, his first presidential vote was cast for James Buchanan in 1856. He voted twice for Abraham Lincoln and once for Grant, but since that time has voted the Democratic ticket. His eldest brother, Judge Samuel Smith, now of Cuba, but formerly a prominent citizen of Bourbois Township, served some years as county judge of the southern district of Gasconade County.