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Below is a family biography included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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DR. JOHN R. SMITH, of Chrisney, is a native of the county in which he now resides, born January 18, 1851, being the eldest of six children born to William B. and Louisa J. (Masterson) Smith. These parents were natives of Kentucky, their respective births occurring November 16, 1822, and March 22, 1833, both of German descent. Both came to Indiana when young and were married in this State. The subject of our sketch was raised on a farm, his youth being passed in such pursuits as was common to farmer boys. He received a good academical education in Marengo Academy, after which, for a period of seven years, he followed the school teacher’s profession. In 1875 he began, and for two years continued to read medicine under the direction of Dr. E. F. Camp, then took a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio. Beginning the practice of medicine at Chrisney, he has ever since continued at this place with more than ordinary success, and in 1880 returned and graduated at medicine from his former place of learning in Cincinnati. Dr. Smith is one of the county’s progressive and enterprising citizens, is a Democrat in politics, and in 1884 was elected Coroner of the county.

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This family biography is one of 344 biographies included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Spencer County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Spencer County, Indiana family biographies here: Spencer County, Indiana Biographies

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