My Genealogy Hound

Daniel Jackson Smith, merchant and farmer, Waldo, Ark. Well directed energy and honorable dealings always tell in business, as indeed in every thing else. Mr. Smith has conducted a very prosperous business in Waldo since 1888, and during that time his trade has advanced by rapid strides. He first saw the light of day in Twiggs County, Ga., his birth occurring on December 22, 1814, and is a son of John Smith. The elder Smith was born in the Old Dominion in 1784, and died in Columbia County, Ark., in 1868. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, and drew 160 acres of land for his services in that war. He emigrated from Virginia to North Carolina, thence to South Carolina, from there to Georgia, and in 1827 moved to Alabama and settled in the Creek Nation. He came on a visit to his son, Daniel J., in Arkansas, and died while here. His wife was Amelia Rigin, a native of Cumberland County, N. C, whose parents moved to South Carolina, and from there to Georgia. Daniel Jackson Smith is the elder of two children, both sons, the brother, William R., now residing in Eureka Springs, Ark. The great grandfather Smith was born in England and settled at Appomattox, Va., where he passed his last days. He served all through the War of the Revolution. Our subject resided in Georgia until 1827, and then removed to Alabama, where he remained until 1845. He then went to Florida, Washington County, and was there until 1853, when he came to Columbia County, Ark., locating on the farm which he now owns. He purchased 160 acres with the money he received in the Creek War, in which he served from 1836 to 1837, and now has 900 acres. He began merchandising at Waldo, in 1888, and now has six lots and several good buildings. At the age of nineteen Mr. Smith was elected captain of the State Militia in Alabama, and when twenty three years of age he was elected justice of the peace. In 1841 he was elected sheriff, and in 1844 county clerk, but resigned that position in the following year to move to Florida. In 1846 he was elected justice of the peace in that State, in 1848 was elected to the State Senate and also served four years in the Legislature of Florida. In 1860 he was elected county judge of Columbia County, Ark., filled this position for two years and two months, and in 1868 was elected representative of Arkansas, remaining in that position for four years. In 1872 he was elected lieutenant-governor of Arkansas. He is at present mayor of Waldo, and is one of the most prominent men in the State. He is a Democratic leader, and cast his first presidential vote for Harrison. He was a Whig until the war, was opposed to secession, but when the war came on he fought for his rights in the Confederate cause. He was the leader of the Democratic party in the Legislature, and was the principal in putting down Radicalism in Arkansas. Mr. Smith was first married in Alabama in June, 1834, to Miss Malita Parrish, who was born and reared in South Carolina. She died in Columbia County, Ark., in September, 1856. Ten children were the result of their marriage, five now living: Emily M. (wife of J. Kirk), Henry C, Parsa A. (wife of James A. Grant), Elizabeth (wife of Charles Crank), and E. L. (wife of Reeves Friday). Mr. Smith’s second marriage occurred in November, 1858, to Mrs. Elizabeth (Scroggins) Reeves, who was born and reared in Oglethorpe County, Ga., and is now living. She was born in November, 1815. She had six children by her first husband. Mr. Smith has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1848, was made a Master Mason at Tallahassee, Fla., and has now reached the Council degree. He is a natural born genius, and built a vessel of his own in which he coasted along the coast of Florida for eleven years, and of which he was captain. He has built all kinds of vessels. He is still strong and hearty in spite of his years. He never attended school but four months altogether, and is a self-made man. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Baptist Church.