My Genealogy Hound

Abraham Smith, Walker Creek Township, Lafayette County, Ark., a leader in agricultural circles, owes his nativity to Georgia, where he was born in Butts County, within one mile of Indian Springs, August 18, 1828, a son of Leven and Charlotte (Gann) Smith, the former born in Delaware, of Scotch parentage, in 1759, and the latter in Georgia in 1794. His father was a carpenter by trade, and participated in the Revolutionary war. He died in the State of Georgia. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born two children: Martha C. (now Mrs. Daniels, of Clark County, Ga.), and Abraham (our subject). Mrs. Smith is still living and resides with her daughter. The subject of this sketch was reared in Clark County, Ga. At the age of twenty-nine years he came to Arkansas and located in Columbia County. He afterward moved to this county, and in 1879 moved on to his present farm. Mr. Smith was twice married; first, in 1854, to Miss Frances Klutch, of German descent, who died the same year, leaving one son, Francis, now residing in North Carolina. Mr. Smith was next married, in 1857, to Miss Frances Bennett, of Georgia, who died in 1887 after a happy married life of thirty years, leaving two daughters: Martha C. (the wife of Mr. Gillette, of Albany, Tex.), and Tolula (now Mrs. Mile, of the same place). Mr. Smith is now living alone on his plantation, and has a colored housekeeper for cook. In 1862 Mr. Smith enlisted in Monroe’s cavalry regiment, afterward in Crawford’s regiment, and was with Price in his raid through Missouri, and participated in a great many skirmishes but no important battles. Like his neighbors, Mr. Smith was a great loser in the late war, losing eighteen slaves besides other property, but unlike some of his neighbors he has set to work to repair his fortunes, in which he has succeeded so well that he is now the owner of one of the finest plantations in Lafayette County. His plantation contains 1,000 acres of land, 300 of which are under cultivation. On this he raises a good average of cotton, besides considerable corn. He owns a fine large steam gin, and is one of the prosperous farmers in this county.