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Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Scotland County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887. 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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John D. Smoot, lawyer, was born October 18, 1848, in this county. He is the son of Edward and Harriet (Downing) Smoot, natives of Fauquier County, Va. The father came to Missouri in 1838 and settled near West Jefferson. He followed farming and stock raising until his death in 1856, The mother survived him but three years. Their children are Josiah (deceased), Henry E., Martha A. (the wife of T. Broadwater), Samuel C., Mary E. (the wife of Dr. J. E. Parrish), and our subject. John D. was reared in his native county, and attended old Memphis Academy under the tutorship of James Donnelly. At his majority he began the study of law, and entered the office of H. M. Durkee. After some time he went to St. Louis, and attended the law department of Washington University, from which he graduated in 1871. He then returned to Memphis, and practiced with (Senator) W. G. Downing, and later with E. R. McKee. In 1883 his present partnership with Mr. Pettingill was formed, and he has contributed much to the success of this well known firm. He has always been a Democrat, and was elected prosecuting attorney by that party in 1872, and served two terms. He was candidate for the Legislature in 1878 but was defeated. He was married, October 15, 1873, to Annie D. Ewing, of Pendleton County, Ky. Their children are John D., Ewing, Hudson V. and Bessie M. Mr. Smoot is a Presbyterian in his religious faith, while his wife is a member of the Christian Church.
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This family biography is one of 140 biographies included in the Scotland County, Missouri portion of the book, The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887. For the complete description, click here: Scotland County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps
View additional Scotland County, Missouri family biographies here: Scotland County, Missouri Biographies
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