My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Polk 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.

* * * *

J. C. Smith, deputy collector of Polk County, Mo., was born in East Tennessee, in 1844, and is the son of Morris and Amanda (Jarnagin) Smith. Morris Smith was born in Alabama, in 1822, and resided in that State until over fourteen years of age, when he moved with his parents to East Tennessee. He there grew to manhood and there married Miss Jarnagin, who was born in Tennessee. After marriage, or in 1853, they emigrated to Missouri and located in Polk County, where the mother died in 1857, and the father in 1885. Mr. Smith was in principle a Union man, serving in the Polk County Home Guards; was a Republican and took an active part in politics. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To his marriage were born six children, four now living, J. C. Smith being the eldest and only son. The latter attained his growth in Polk County, and supplemented a common school education with a course in the graded school at Bolivar. He then needed nothing but discipline to fit him for the teacher’s profession, and during the fourteen years that he was in the school-room he was accounted one of the most popular educators in this and adjoining counties. In connection with his school duties he also carried on farming, and is now the owner of 300 acres of land. He was elected assessor of Polk County, but the township organization took effect, and, as a consequence, he did not serve. He filled the position of deputy assessor in 1872. He was deputy collector of revenue for Polk County, in 1887, and has served two years. During the late war he was a member of Company D, Eighth Regiment Missouri State Militia, for three years, enlisting March 1, 1862, and being discharged March 5, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R., and was first commander of the post at Fair Play, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. He was married to Miss Maggie E. Thompson, on September 7, 1869. She was born in Polk County, Mo., March 25, 1846, and by her marriage became the mother of eight children: Vida, wife of A. C. Mead; J. Ira, Nora A., Ada M., John M., Eugene, Orlena (deceased), and William. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The paternal grandfather was a native of Scotland, and emigrated to Alabama, where he died, and the paternal great-grandfather was also a native of Scotland. The paternal great-grandmother was a native of Ireland.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 132 biographies included in The History of Polk County, Missouri published in 1889.  For the complete description, click here: Polk County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

To view additional Polk County, Missouri family biographies, click here

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.