My Genealogy Hound

Morgan G. Smyers is a man from whose active line has emanated no slight influence for good among those with whom he has associated. Born in Johnson County, Ark., he is the son of Jacob and Sophie (Bolanger) Smyers. Jacob was born in North Carolina about 1787, and died in 1875. In 1823 he came from North Carolina to Johnson County, where our subject was born February 2, 1832. He was one of the first settlers of the county, a carpenter by trade, and in 1837 located in Perry County, where he held the office of justice of the peace. The Smyers are of Dutch descent, the father having been born in Pennsylvania. Morgan G.’s mother was born in North Carolina about 1801, and died in Perry County in 1854; she had borne eleven children, of whom Sarah, Rebecca and Jacob are living, as well as the subject of our sketch, the fourth in the family. He received his education in the subscription schools, and at the age of twenty-one began business for himself, going in 1853 to California by the overland route, where he engaged in gold mining and dealing in livestock. After six years he returned to Perry County, and purchased the farm he now owns which at that time contained 160 acres; he has now about 1,600 acres, some 400 being under cultivation, and is one of the largest land owners in the county. In 1861 Mr. Smyers enlisted in Company H, Tenth Arkansas Infantry; and was immediately elected second lieutenant, and afterward promoted to first lieutenant. He served until the close of the war, when he returned to Perry County and engaged in farming. In 1877 he entered the mercantile business in which he is still engaged, in partnership with P. W. Mosby. November 29, 1867, he married Miss Masy S. Guerin, who was born in North Carolina in 1846; they had six children: Rosalee and Ellen Dale living, and Elizabeth J., Robert Lee, Charles W. and Edward deceased. In 1866 Mr. Smyers was elected sheriff of Perry County, served one term, and was elected to the same office in 1870 to fill an unexpired term, his official duties being discharged in a commendable manner. In 1874 he was elected representative of Perry County, a choice highly creditable to his efficiency and talent, and in 1876 was again elected sheriff and served two years. He is a Democrat, and in 1864 was initiated into the Masonic order, and is a member of Aplin Lodge No. 444. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.