James William Smith

James W. Smith, farmer and stock raiser of Washington County, Ark., is a

Virginian, and was born in Botetourt County June 14, 1832. His father, Philip

Smith, and grandfather Smith, were also Virginians, and of German descent.

The father was married in his native Stat~, to Mary Anderson, and in 1849

moved to Arkansas, purchasing a farm near where James W. now resides, and

there spent the remainder of his days, dying in 1855. He was a harness and

saddle maker by trade, and was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew

him. His widow is still living, and has attained the age of ninety-two years.

They were the parents of five sons and four daughters, and seven of their children

grew to mature years, and became the heads of families. Two sons died

during the war. James W. took the management of affairs into his own hands

·after the death of his father, and continued to care for the family until 1861, when

he enlisted in the Confederate service, being a member of the Second Arkansas

Infantry. After serving three months, and participating in the battle of Wilson's

Creek, he joined Col. Brooks' regiment, with which he served until the

close of the war, then returned home and engaged in farming. He has- a fine

farm of 210 acres, nearly all of which is bottom-land, with 130 acres under cultivation,

and a splendid orchard of 250 trees. June 1, 1880, be was married to

Miss Mary Crouches, a daughter of John Crouches. Mrs. Smith was born in

Washington County, and is the mother of five children: Thomas E., William

L., Nora, Pearl Lee and Alice.

SMITH, James W. - Mr. James W. Smith died at his home two miles South of Prairie Grove last Friday morning, after a few weeks illness of paralysis. Uncle Jim was one of the oldest residents of this section, being nearly 86 years of age. His was a long and useful life, devoted to agricultural pursuits. He will be greatly missed in his community and especially in his home. James William Smith was born at Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia, June 14, 1832. With his parents he came west when a young boy, and for a few years lived at Springfield, Missouri. In 1848 the family removed to this section and located on the farm where Mr. Smith died, and which had been his farm since that time. In June 1879, he was married to Miss Mary Crouch. He was the parent of nine children, seven of whom, with his wife, survive him. They are: Misses Nora, Pearl, Lillie and John Smith, and Mrs. Annie Mitchell of Prairie Grove, Mrs. Alice Watson of near Hooker, Oklahoma and Ewing Smith of Alberta, Canada. All of the children except Ewing were with their father when he died. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. A. Dixon of Prairie Grove. At the outbreak of the Civil War Mr. Smith was a member of the Arkansas State troops, but after the battle of Oak Hill his command was mustered into the Confederate army and he became a member of Co. K. 34th Arkansas Infantry. The funeral services were held Saturday morning at the Cumberland Presbyterian church conducted by Rev. F.A. Bradshaw. The interment was made in the Prairie Grove cemetery. [Prairie Grove Herald 4/11/1918]

Mrs. Mary J. Smith, widow of James W. Smith, who died April 5, 1918, filed Widow Application #29258 with the Confederate Pension Board of Washington County for a Confederate widow pension and it was received as allowed August 15, 1927 at the State, citing her husband’s service with Company K, 34thArkansas Infantry from 1861 thru 1865. Mrs. Smith died January 3, 1929. [State of Arkansas Confederate Pension Archives]