My Genealogy Hound

A. P. Smith, attorney at law and farmer, of Temperance Hall, was born March 23, 1855, where he now resides. He is the youngest of nine children of Nicholas and Penelope (Summers) Smith. His father was born December 2, 1801, in North Carolina, and when a small boy moved to Wilson County, Tenn. He purchased the farm where our subject now resides in 1844, which then included the land now covered by the town. The only cultivated spot of this extensive tract was a small orchard. He soon built a two-story house, in the upper story of which the “Sons of Temperance” held their meetings, and from that fact the town got its name. Mr. Smith was a strong advocate of temperance and an influential man, and possessed a wonderful constitution. While clearing his land he built fences and worked nights by the light from brush piles which he laid during the day. A great deal of his property was destroyed during the war. He and another old gentleman were captured and compelled to walk to Murfreesboro, where they were imprisoned about two months. He began life a poor man, but by enterprise and industry, was worth a large sum at his death. He was a director and large stockholder of the Sparta & Lebanon Turnpike Company. He gave his children the benefit of the best schools, and was always deeply interested in all educational matters. Mrs. Smith was born March 8, 1810, in Tennessee. She was a model housekeeper and a most industrious, estimable woman. Her death occurred in September, 1886. She and her husband were consistent and active members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The grandfather, Daniel Smith, was of Welsh descent; his father came from Wales at an early day. Our subject received his education in the New Middleton Institute, Smith County. He studied law under Col. Stokes, and was admitted to the bar in 1878. He is a talented lawyer, and has met with great success. His practice lies in De Kalb and the adjoining counties. In 1883 he was elected justice of the peace, which office he still holds. His judicial decisions have always given satisfaction. He is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Samuel J. Tilden. He inherited some property which he has added to considerably. He is a bright, genial man, with a host of friends. In 1875 he married Miss Alice P., daughter of Wm. T. and Malissa (Stokes) Hoskins. Mrs. Smith was born March 23, 1858, Their union resulted in the birth of six children: Edith May, Eula Leath, Linnie Mason, Wm. Nicholas, Olive Ione and Alfred.