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Below is a family biography included in County of Todd, Kentucky, Historical and Biographical edited by William Henry Perrin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Co. in 1884.  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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HON. D. B. SMITH was born January 8, 1827, in Todd County, Ky.; he is a son of Spotswood Smith and Martha A. (Terry). The father was born December 14, 1800, in Louisa County, Va.; he came to Kentucky in 1816, and two years later settled in what is now Todd County, and at present living with his son. Our subject in September, 1844, went to Hadensville, and worked two years for his board in the store of Stephen and John Terry. The third year he secured a position with Ed Payne at a salary of $300 and board, a year; at the expiration of this time he was obliged to give up his situation on account of ill health, although he was offered a salary of $600 should he remain; he then bought the office of Sheriff from William M. Terry, which he held two years; he again bought the same office from Dr. Fox; this he held until the adoption of the new Constitution; he then engaged in farming, which occupation he has pursued ever since with good success; he first bought a farm of sixty acres, which he afterward sold, and then bought 500 acres in Logan County, where he lived ten years; he then bought a farm of 200 acres near Clarksville, Tenn. After holding this two years he traded it for the farm he now owns, where he resides. This farm contains 620 acres. He now owns in all about 1,500 acres. His brick residence was completed in 1867, at a cost of $15,000. Mr. Smith began life a poor boy. By his own energy, honesty and integrity he has become one of the most valuable citizens of the county; he represented Todd County in the Legislature in 1876 and 1877; he was married November 13, 1850, to Olivia D. Tyler, a native of Todd County. His family consists of four daughters, having lost his only two sons and his eldest daughter. See the portrait of Mr. Smith elsewhere.

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This family biography is one of 200 biographies included in The History of Todd County, Kentucky published in 1884.  For the complete description, click here: Todd County, Kentucky History and Genealogy

View additional Todd County, Kentucky family biographies: Todd County, Kentucky Biographies

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