THOMAS W. SMITH

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 559-560:

Thomas W. Smith

(Farmer, section 15, Post Office, Schell City, Mo.).

   If the inquiry was made as to the most important epoch in the life history of Mr. Smith, an answer would come almost involuntarily that the period passed while a soldier in the late Civil War, as a defender of those principles for which so many brave followers laid down their lives, was of the most importance to him and of such results as but few can in this age realize. In this brief outline of his career only a faint idea can be formed of his gallant service while a member of the Confederate army. His command was Co. D, 2nd Tennessee, under Col. Ashby, a company that was among the most noted of the war, taking part as it did in the Georgia campaign under Wheeler, at Chattanooga, Knoxville, etc., acting also as an escort for Gen. Kirby Smith. Mr. Smith was one of six men selected to scout the country from Macon, Ga., to Bristol, Va., their perilous journey being accomplished under many difficulties, in a wild and unsettled region, part of the time their progress being on foot; the trip was completed in safety and a report made to Capt. Mimms, and he was under Gen. John Morgan at Jonesboro. Subsequently they were engaged in miscellaneous warfare in North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, and were at Greenville when Morgan was killed. The company surrendered at Paintsville, Ky., in May, 1865. In company with Mr. John Kincaid, now of this county, Mr. Smith soon went to Ohio, both working some two months as farm hands. Going to Mt. Sterling, Montgomery county, Ky., they remained about six weeks, when Mr. Smith visited for a short time his father, then in Lincoln county, same State. Starting finally to Missouri, he arrived in Jackson county, December 23, 1865, with only ten cents in his pocket, but his determination to succeed knew no failure, and after hiring his services in different localities he purchased a farm in the eastern county in March, 1881. The previous January a requisition had been granted to Gov. Hawkins, of Tennessee, by Gov. Crittenden, of Missouri, for Mr. Smith's arrest, together with that of Mr. Kincaid, as elsewhere noted, but the requisition was afterwards revoked, though Mr. Smith's whereabouts were unknown to the parties searching for him. May 22, 1862, he was married to Miss Hester A. Kincaid, of Tennessee, who died July 3, 1863. September3, 1868, Mr. S. married Miss Lizzie V. Newton, who has borne him seven children: Florence D., Frank C., Horace F., Emma L., Daisy, Roscoe, and Roy. Mr. Smith owns a valuable farm of 160 acres, well improved. In politics he is a Democrat. He is recognized as one of the substantial and respected citizens of the county. Two of his brothers were also in military service during the war, Robert and William. The former was captured and conveyed to Camp Chase, where he subsequently died. William was killed at New Market, Tenn., after having filled a long and hazardous career for more than four years.

[Transcribed by Steve Smith, 1027 Boston Ridge, Woodstock, GA 30189]

Thomas W. Smith   Oct. 1, 1935 - Aug. 21, 1930

Lizzie Virginia Smith   1852 - 1930

Flat Rock Cemetery, Vernon County, Missouri

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