My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Laclede County, Missouri 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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William B. Smith, a prominent stock dealer of Auglaize Township, Laclede Co., Mo., was born in Wilson County, Tenn., in January, 1831, and is a son of William H. and Lucy (Piercy) Smith, and grandson of George Smith, who came to Tennessee, where he was married and where his wife died, when William H. was a small boy. George Smith after his marriage moved to Rutherford County, Tenn., and remained in this county until 1845, when he came to Pulaski County, Mo., and later settled in Madison County, where he passed his last days. In early life he had followed the saddlery business. His family consisted of three children, all of whom grew to maturity: William H., Robert and Martenia, all now deceased. William H. was born in Virginia, and came to Tennessee when a child. Here he grew up, married, and afterward settled in Wilson County, Tenn., where he farmed until 1839. He then came to Missouri, locating in Ripley County, now Dent County, but afterward moved to Madison County, where he remained one year. He then moved to Pulaski County, now Laclede County, and finally died in Laclede County in 1880. He had improved a large farm in this county. His wife, Lucy (Piercy) Smith, was born in Virginia, and came to Tennessee when a child. She was married in this State, and became the mother of five children, three now living: George Smith, living on Gasconade River, William B. and Mary Titterington. Mrs. Smith was born in 1802, and is still living at Richland with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Titterington. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and takes an active part in all religious work. William B. Smith was but eight or nine years of age when he came to Missouri with his parents, and here he grew to manhood. He received a good common-school education, and December 20, 1855, he married Miss Eglentine Fitzgerald, a native of McMinn County, Tenn., born in 1837, and the daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Thomas) Fitzgerald. Her father was born in Jackson County, Tenn., in 1804, and remained in his native county until seventeen years of age, when he went to Alabama, and from there to East Tennessee. Here he remained until 1852, when he came to Missouri and located on the farm where William B. Smith now lives. He went to Texas during the war, and died there in 1866. His wife was born in Warren County, Ky., in 1808, and was the daughter of James and Mary (Morris) Thomas, who were of English and Welsh descent. Grandfather Morris was killed by the Indians, and some member of the Morris family was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The parents of Nancy Thomas came to Tennessee, where they passed their last days. Their family consisted of these children: Sarah, Mary, James, Esther, John, Eglentine, Joseph and Edward. Those deceased were named Margaret and Rachel. The mother of these children is yet living, and is one of the oldest members of the Christian Church, having joined the church when twenty-two years of age. After marriage, in 1856, Mr. Smith located in Smith Township, where he remained until 1871, when he came to the present location, where he has a good farm of 480 acres, with 150 under cultivation. To his marriage were born thirteen children, but the eldest, James, died when two years of age; Lulu, wife of John Winfrey; Joseph, George, Edwin, Willie (at home), Mollie, Robert, Imogene, Hugh, Merton, Eglentine and Ethel. Mr. Smith does not take a very active part in politics, but votes the Democratic ticket. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the county’s most successful farmers and stock raisers.

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This family biography is one of 104 biographies included in The History of Laclede County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Laclede County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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