My Genealogy Hound

R. W. Smith, citizen and merchant of Covington, Tenn., was born in North Carolina in 1824, and was one of six children, three of whom are living. The parents were John and Obedience Smith, both natives of North Carolina. The father was born about 1796, came to Tennessee in 1826, and located in Tipton County, being one of the first settlers of the county, was a farmer and died in 1863. The mother was a Miss Yarbro, born in 1794, and died in 1863, a few days previous to the death of her husband. They were members of the Old School Baptist Church. Our subject was educated in the county schools, and in 1862 he enlisted in Company J, Seventh Tennessee Cavalry, under Col. W. H. Jackson, who was promoted to the rank of general, and Capt. Stocks taking Jackson’s command. Mr. Smith was in the commissary department and remained a year, when he returned to his home. In 1867, he commenced merchandising at Covington, and still continues, being one of the oldest merchants in the place and quite successful in business. Mr. Smith also farms quite extensively, and owns 660 acres of land, 220 acres three miles south of Covington, and 360 four miles southeast of Fulton, and eleven miles northwest of Covington. Mr. Smith is a Democrat. In 1856 he married Miss Minerva J., daughter of William and Fannie McGuire. Mrs. Smith was born in Tipton County in 1830. They have four children: H. A., Ella M., Julia M. and R. C. Mr. Smith is one of the substantial business men of the place.