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Below is a family biography included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  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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James L. Smith, collector of Phelps County, Mo., was born in Grainger County, Tenn., in 1834, and his parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Dyer) Smith, were both natives of the last named county, born in 1809 and 1808, respectively. Samuel Smith was a farmer, merchant, distiller and blacksmith by occupation. He was quite a successful business man, being worth $40,000 before the war, but lost it all during that struggle. In 1868 he immigrated to Phelps County, Mo., where he died in 1881. His wife died in 1851. They were the parents of nine children, James L. being the third child. He assisted on the farm until sixteen years of age, and then went to Loudon, where he hired as a salesman in a general store. Here he remained four years, and then clerked on a steamer in the Tennessee River a few months. In 1855 and 1856 he was in Texas, and in 1858 went to California, where he remained until 1860. The year following he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Battalion Tennessee Cavalry, and was in service four years. He was in the fight at Champion’s Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Winchester, Charleston, and many severe skirmishes, but never received a wound. He surrendered at Knoxville after peace was declared. In 1865 he left his native State, immigrated to Phelps County, Mo., and here hired to Joseph Campbell in the mercantile business, where he remained four years. In 1867 he married Miss Anastasia Rayl, a native of Cooper County, Mo., born in 1842, and they have seven children: William H., Edmund W., Joseph S., Charles B., Wesley M., Allen and Frank (twins). In 1872 Mr. Smith was elected sheriff, was re-elected in 1874, and from 1876 to 1880 he was engaged in farming and merchandising. In the last named year he was elected, treasurer of Phelps County, and two years later was reelected. From 1884 to 1888 he followed farming and sold goods. In November, 1888, he was elected as county collector of Phelps County. Mr. Smith is the owner of 320 acres of land, located eight miles north of the county seat. He has been a life-long Democrat in his political principles; is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the A. O. U. W., and Mrs. Smith is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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This family biography is one of 71 biographies included in The History of Phelps County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Phelps County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

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To view a map of Phelps County, Missouri: Phelps County, Missouri Map

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