My Genealogy Hound

WILLIS V. SMITH, M. D., is a graduate of the department of medicine of Columbia (Mo.) State University, and for over two decades has been actively engaged in practice in Warrensburg, Johnson County. In 1892 he went East, taking a full course of instruction in the New York Post-Graduate College, and April 1, 1892, sailed for Germany, where he took a special course of surgery in Berlin University. He is a member of the local medical association, belongs to the Pension Examining Board, and served as County Coroner for six years.

Dr. Smith was born in Lexington, Mo., May 27, 1852, and is the son of Henry and Mary A. (Violet) Smith, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky, born in 1802. The grandfather, Henry Smith, Sr., emigrated from Germany to North Carolina and afterward settled in Logan County, Ky., where he became an extensive slave-holder and planter. Henry Smith, Jr., was married in the Blue Grass State, and in 1844 moved to St. Louis, where he engaged in contracting and building, and many of the structures which he then put up are yet in a good state of preservation. About 1847 he moved to Lexington, Mo., where he went into the milling business, and the first large flourmill which was erected there is still owned by one of his sons-in-law. In 1853 he went to Independence, Mo., where he built and operated another flourmill, and also engaged in mercantile pursuits for four years. Then, coming to this city, he put up another mill, which he carried on until his death, which took place in October, 1871. In early life he was an old-line Whig, but after the war espoused the cause of the Democracy. He was long identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. W. V. Smith is the youngest of ten children, and was just five years old when his parents moved to this city. His education was mainly gained in the excellent city schools, but for about one year he attended those of Jerseyville, Ill., while living with an older brother. On completing his studies in the public schools, he took up medicine in the Columbia State University, and in June, 1874, was graduated from the medical department with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After a brief vacation he opened an office in Warrensburg, and from the very start was blessed with a good measure of success. Politically he is, like his father was before him, a Democrat.

October 13, 1879, Dr. Smith married Frances A. Coleman, of Warrensburg. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 13, 1854, and was a daughter of Benjamin F. and Columbia E. (Conklin) Coleman, the latter a second cousin of Roscoe Conklin, of New York. Mrs. Smith was educated in the public schools of her native city, and later took an elective course in McMicken University at Cincinnati, and in 1875 came with her parents to Warrensburg. In September, 1882, she entered the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, and graduated therefrom in March, 1885, since which time she has gained a large practice. When the Warrensburg Medical Society was organized she was honored with the position of Secretary, and her well written and thoughtful articles on various subjects relating to her profession often appear in the leading medical journals. To the Doctor and wife was born one child, Ada Coleman, July 26, 1880. Mrs. Smith is a lineal descendant of Maj. John Handy, of Revolutionary fame. He was the eldest son of Charles Handy, Sr., an adherent of the Tory cause, and greatly to his displeasure his sons, Maj. John and Charles, enlisted on the side of the Colonists, both becoming officers later on. When the Declaration of Independence was passed it was Maj. John Handy who was deputed by the state authorities to read the document from the steps of the State House, which he did July 4, 1776, amid the great rejoicing of the people. Fifty years later he was again called upon to read it from the same place. He was highly respected in Newport, where he always lived, and as a soldier he did excellent service under Sullivan and Spencer. There is yet in existence a fine picture of him taken at the age of forty years. His death occurred March 2, 1828, and he was buried with military honors.