My Genealogy Hound

Allen L. Smith, a prominent farmer in Sand Hill Township, was born December 25, 1828, in Brownsville, Tenn. He moved to Marion County, Mo., when he was about three years old, and in the spring of 1833 moved with his parents to what is now Scotland County, Mo. He acquired most of his education after he was grown by reading and observation. He was reared a farmer, and has since followed that occupation with the exception of eight years, when he was occupied in the mercantile trade at Sand Hill, and a short time that he taught school. He first embarked in business in 1850, and about 1856 formed a co-partnership with Jonathan Longfellow, the firm name being A. L. Smith & Longfellow. About two years later he purchased Mr. Longfellow’s interest, and continued the business until 1859, when he closed it out, rented a farm, and engaged in farming, which occupation he has since followed. His property is the result of his own labor and management, and consists of 240 acres of splendidly improved land. He married, May 10, 1857, Charlotte Grant, daughter of John Grant, a native of Nova Scotia. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith thirteen children have been born: Margaret Jane (deceased), Mary Elizabeth, William R., Thomas P., Gladdis Annettie, John G., Lula V., Charlotte Emma, Allen R., Leonard B., Le Roy, Claudie Stella and one who died in infancy. Mr. Smith is a Democrat in principle, but conservative in politics. He served as postmaster seven years at Sand Hill, and was school director for several years. He was the eldest of three children of Robert T. and Margaret W. (Ray) Smith, natives of North Carolina, who settled in West Tennessee at a very early day, the former being major for some time. Mr. Smith moved to Marion County, Mo., about 1831, and in the fall of 1882 came to Scotland County, Mo., built a hut, moved some grain to the place, and in the spring of 1833 moved his family to the place. He was a shoemaker by trade, but later in life was engaged in milling and farming. Mrs. Margaret Smith was a daughter of Matthew Ray, possibly a native of North Carolina. Mr. Ray afterward moved to Lewis County, Mo., where he was judge of the county court.