My Genealogy Hound

R. W. Smith was born in Lewis County, Mo., July 22, 1836, and is the son of Francis and Elizabeth (Morris) Smith, both natives of Franklin County, Ky. They were married in their native State, remaining there but a short time, when they moved to Northeast Missouri, and settled in Marion County, but later moved to Lewis County before its organization, and settled on the property on which Monticello, the county seat of Lewis County, now stands. He remained until 1835, and then moved to Clark County, where he ever afterward lived. They reared a family of four children, three of whom are yet living and reside in Northeast Missouri. Later Mr. Smith was a Democrat in politics, and was judge of his county, and also represented the same in the Legislature. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and was a kind husband and an affectionate father. He died in 1881, twenty years after the death of his wife, who was also a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject is one of those native born Missourians who has seen and experienced the many important changes that have taken place in this great State. He remained with his parents until he was about twenty-nine years of age. During the war he was in the militia, and in 1865 he made a trip to the Rocky Mountains, where he remained four years. He then returned to his old home in Clark County, and married Miss Mary E. Norris, in 1870. She is a daughter of J. M. and L. G. Norris, of this County. After their marriage they settled in Washington Township, where they have ever since resided. Three children were the result of our subject’s marriage, viz.: Edgar F., Gertie N., and Robert M. Mrs. Smith’s mother, whose maiden name was Jones, makes her home with our subject and wife. Her husband was a prominent Democratic politician of Johnson County, Ind. Our subject is one of the enterprising farmers and stock raisers of Clark County, and owns over 400 acres of valuable land. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Christian Church.