My Genealogy Hound

Rev. Clark Smith was born in Caldwell County, Ky., March 30, 1846. His parents were Spencer R. and Sarah (Clayton) Smith, and his grandfather was also Spencer Smith. The latter was a blacksmith, a worker in wood and also a farmer. His early days were spent in North Carolina, but he afterward became one of the early settlers of Kentucky. His son, Spencer R., grew to manhood on his father’s farm, and was educated in the subscription schools of Caldwell County. Here he was married in 1843, and settled down to tilling the soil, but in 1856 moved westward and located on a farm in Lawrence County, Mo. He enlisted in the Mexican War, but before his command reached the field, peace was declared. He and wife became the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living at the present time: Sanford, Clark, Frances, Elizabeth (wife of Frank Mason), Spencer, Sarah (wife of John Heln), Lavina (wife of Adam Garinger). Mr. Smith warmly espoused the Southern cause during the late war, and was killed at the battle of Wilson’s Creek, August 10, 1861. His son, Rev. Clark Smith, remained with his mother on the farm until his marriage in 1867 with Malania L. Garinger, when he settled on a farm of his own. She was born and reared in Lawrence County, her parents being among the early settlers, and became the mother of eight children: Mary L., Martha A., Dora, Walter Scott, Nora, Pearlie, Knowles and Myrtle. When about twenty years of age Mr. Smith united with the Christian Church, and soon after began preaching the Gospel. He was ordained in November, 1867, and since that time has been one of the leading ministers of his denomination. He was one of the leading spirits in erecting the Concord, St. Elmo, Mount Etna and other churches in Lawrence and the surrounding counties. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres, which is well cultivated and well stocked. He is a Prohibitionist in his political views.