USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 62
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LYMAN B. JONES.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, born October 15, 1852. His parents moved to Mower county, Minnesota in 1854 and there Lyman was reared and received his education. In 1865 he moved to Linn county, this State, and has since resided here. He had been raised a farmer and on moving to this county he again resumed that laudable vo- cation, in which he continued till August, 1880, when he moved into Lac- lede and engaged in the butcher's business. Mr. Jones does the leading business in his line, and is an industrious, quiet and temperate citizen. He was married on the sixteenth day of April, 1876, to Miss Sophronia E. An- derson, of Linn county, formerly of Illinois. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones, two of whom, John Beecher and George Cur- tis, still survive.
WILLIAM B. JONES,
son of Robert E. and Sarah Ann (nee Morris) Jones, was born in Cumber- land county, Kentucky, November 6, 1850. Three years later his parents removed to Polk county, Missouri, and in 1858 to Jackson county, Missouri, where they lived until the opening of the war. When General Ewing's celebrated "Order No. 11" was issued they were compelled to leave, going to Daviess county, Missouri. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated at the common schools. When nineteen years old he was ap- prenticed to the carpenter's trade and served at this until 1878. He and Mr. Murray built the Rural Mills at a cost of $4,000, which they now own and run. These mills are among the largest and most popular in this part of the country, having a capacity of twenty-five barrels of flour per day, and doing an extensive business.
Mr. Jones was married March 21, 1881, to Miss Amanda Williains, daughter of Major Albert and Mary (nee Long) Williams, of Laclede, Mis- souri.
CARLETON JONES,
son of Harry and Waitley (nee Luddington) Jones, was born in Warren, Herkimer county, New York, February 26, 1817. When a small boy his parents removed to Huron county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, hav- ing been reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of sixteen, he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, which busi- ness he followed a number of years. In 1832 Mr. Jones went to Laporte
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county, Indiana, and in 1842 to Brunswick, Chariton county, Missouri, where he worked at his trade until the California gold excitement raged over the land. He joined the first great rush to that State in 1849, and re- mained there three years, engaged in mining. Returning to Chariton county, Missouri, Mr. Jones was married July 10, 1853, to Miss Nancy Gaines, of that county, but formerly of Kentucky. The young couple soon after removed to Linn county, Missouri, Mr. Jones purchasing the place where he now resides. The farm is a fine one, comprising over five hundred acres, well improved. All this has been accomplished by the in- dustry, energy, and intelligence of Mr. Jones, who is one of the leading farmers and substantial men of the county, and who has done much to make it what it is. Mrs. Jones died December 20, 1864. She was the mother of three children, two of whom are living, a daughter, Ida, and a son, May. The latter was born May 26, 1854, at the place where he now resides; was educated at a country school and Laclede, and was married February 12, 1880, to Miss Hortense Caruthers, daughter of James Caruthers, of Laclede. By this marriage there has been one child, Eva. Mr. Jones is one of the most successful and popular young farmers of Linn county.
JAMES C. LONG,
is the son of Conrad and Lucretia (nee Warren) Long. His father had two brothers who were soldiers in the War of 1812. His parents are natives of Tennessee. James C. Long was born in Brown county, Tennessee, June 18, 1829. In 1832 his parents removed to Brown county, Illinois, where he grew to manhood, being reared on a farm and receiving a common school education. He followed farming until 1854, when he engaged in merchandizing at Clayton, Illinois, for four years. He then began buying and shipping produce to New Orleans, and was in that city when the late war broke out. He returned home, and in August, 1862, enlisted in Com- pany I, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Infantry. He was soon as- signed to General A. J. Smith's command and served with the same until the close of the war. Mr. Long held the rank of first sergeant, was on the Red River expedition, commanded by General Banks, and participated in the battles of Tupelo, Fort Blakely and all the numerous engagements and skirmishes of that command. Being mustered out he returned to Brown county, Illinois, and purchased a farm near Mound Station, and was engaged in farming there until 1879, when he purchased the place in Linn county, Missouri, where he now resides. He owns a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, finely improved and well managed. Mr. Long was married in 1852 to Miss Lavinia Ansmus, daughter of Frederick and Margaret (nee Sadler) Ansmus, of Brown county, Illinois, formerly of Tennessee. She was born May 29, 1831, her father being a participant in the War of 1812. By this union four children have been born, the names of the living ones being
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
William O., Frederick O., and Margaret Lulu. Mr. and Mrs. Long are members of the Baptist Church, the former since 1866 and the latter since 1860, both being active and consistent Christians.
HENRY C. LOMAX,
son of John and Anna (nee Shank) Lomax, was born in Brown county, Illi- nois, September 21, 1844. In 1852 his parents removed to Adams county,. Illinois. Mr. Lomax lived on a farm until fourteen years of age, and then began clerking in a store at Clayton, Adams county, Illinois, remaining there for one year. Thereafter he accompanied his parents to Laclede, Mis- souri, where his father engaged in merchandizing, he clerking in the store in summer and attending school in winter. At the breaking out of the war his father enlisted in the Twelfth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, and held as such several months, when he was exchanged. He assisted in raising the first Alabama cavalry regiment, and was a captain in the same until the close of the war, his death occurring at Laclede in 1877. Mr. Henry Lomax accepted a position as clerk for Mr. J. F. Pershing, sutler of the Twelfth Regiment, during 1862-63, and in 1864. When the Sixty-eighth Regiment Missouri State Mi- litia was organized he enlisted in the same, and continued with it until it was mustered out. He then clerked for Mr. Pershing until 1871, since which time he has followed farming and stock-raising. In these pursuits he- has succeeded admirably. September 26, 1866, Mr. Lomax was married to Miss Matilda Ann Turner, daughter of Matthew and Lucinda (nee War- rick) Turner, of Linn county, Missouri. Her father was a native of Ken- tucky, and her mother was born in Virginia. By this marriage there were five children, four of whom are living and named as follows: Edwin M., Jay C., Luanna, and John T. James died at about the age of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Lomax have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1866, and have been active and faithful Christians, doing much good.
ORVILLE W. KELSEY,
son of John and Electa (nee Bowen) Kelsey, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, March 27, 1828, where he lived until he was thirteen years old. With his parents he removed to Clay county, Indiana, and at the age of fifteen years was apprenticed to the potter's trade. This has been his constant oc- cupation. At Brazil, Indiana, he carried on the pottery business extensively for twenty years. In 1868 he removed to Linneus, Linn county, Missouri, and in 1872 took charge of the pottery works near Laclede for T. O. Fellows; six years later bought out the business, and has since been extensively en- gaged in the same, averaging 60,000 gallons of pottery per year.
Mr. Kelsey was married in 1852 to Miss Nancy Shrewsberry, daughter of John and Nancy Shrewsbery of Putnamn county, Indiana. She died
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February 27, 1878. By this union there were five children, four of them living. William S., was married July 20, 1877, to Miss Fannie Lyons, daughter of John and Hannah Lyons of Linn county, Missouri, formerly of Grant county, Kentucky. They have one child, Walter. The names of the other children are Thomas J., Ella B., and Ulysses Grant.
REUBEN A. LAMB, .
son of Reuben and Cynthia (nee Sloper) Lamb, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, November 4, 1815. His father was one of the pioneers of that State, settling there in 1800, and representing it at one time in the legislature. The subject of this sketch was reared in Delaware county, Ohio, with the exception of two years that his parents lived in Illinois when he was a small boy. His early life was spent in his father's store and in attending school. When he became of age he engaged in merchandizing in the town of Delaware, which business he followed for a number of years. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Sixty-sixth Olio Infantry, and partici- pated in the battles of Winchester and Port Republic, under General Shields, and in numerous other engagements. He was taken prisoner in 1864, at Strasburg, Virginia, while in a hospital; was paroled, reported at Washington and was mustered out, the government seeing no opportunity of making an exchange. He then proceeded to Nashville, Tennessee, and went into the quartermaster's department, where he remained until 1866, when he returned to Ohio, and in the following year removed to Linn county, Missouri, where he now resides, and owns a farm of ninety acres. Mr. Lamb was married in 1839, to Miss Emily G. Howard, daughter of Caleb and Melissa (nee Grisswold) Howard, of Delaware county, Ohio. By this union there have been four children, Henry H. and Howard S., who are living; Francis died at the age of twenty-one years, and ---- died when she was nineteen years of age.
JOHN R. MC EFEE,
son of John and Nancy (Henry) McEfee, was born in Washington county, Tennessee, October 23, 1833. His father died in 1843 and he came to Mercer county, Missouri, in 1845, with his mother. At the age of four- teen years he began clerking in a store in Grundy county, Missouri, con- tinuing it until 1857, when he engaged in merchandizing in the same place, the firm being McEfee & Wright. In 1859 he sold his interest to Mr. Wright and came to Laclede, where he conducted a grocery and commis- sion store for Grill & Hoyle until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in Company C, Eighteenth Missouri Volunteer Infantry. At the organization of that regiment he received the appointment of quarter- master-sergeant, and in February, 1862, was promoted to be second lieu- tenant, Company E. In January, 1863, he was promoted to be first lieu-
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
tenant, Company I. The first winter of the war he was stationed at Wes- ton, Missouri, and in 1862 went into actual service. He participated in the memorable battle of Shiloh, was taken prisoner there April 6, 1862, and conducted to Montgomery, Alabama, where he was kept until July 1, 1862, when he was removed to Macon, Georgia, and held there until the following September, when he was taken to Madison, Georgia; held there till October tenth, then sent to Richmond, Virginia, and there paroled and exchanged in February, 1863. He at once returned to his regiment and was stationed on the Memphis & Charleston Railroad the following sum- mer. He was taken sick in October and ยท resigned July, 1864, on account of disability. He returned to Laclede in 1866 and was appointed deputy circuit clerk of Linn county, which office he held until 1871. He then re- moved to Sumner county, Kansas, and followed farming until 1876, when he returned to Grundy county, Missouri, and clerked for two years at Lindley. In the spring of 1879 he returned to Laclede and purchased a farm adjoining the town, where he has since resided. He was married Septem- ber 14, 1866, to Miss Mary E. Moore, of Laclede, Missouri. Mr. McEfee made a gallant soldier and endured heroically the hardships incident to a long military imprisonment. He is a popular and valuable citizen, and worthy the high regard in which he is held.
MARTIN MAHURIN
is the son of Silas and Delaney (nee Edwards) Mahurin. His father was born December 31, 1805, in Hardin county, Kentucky, where he lived until 1853, when he removed to Adams county, Illinois, and in 1858 to Linn county, Missouri, where he still lives. Miss Delaney Edwards, of Grayson county, Kentucky, to whom he was married in 1832, died in 1869. The subject of this sketch was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, June 4, 1843. Ten years later his parents moved to Adams county, Illinois, and in 1858 to Linn county, Missouri. Mr. Mahurin was reared on a farm and educated at the common schools. He lived in Linn county from 1858 to 1871, ex- cepting a portion of the years 1865-66, when he resided in Illinois. Mr. Mahurin was married August 12, 1864, to Miss Sophia Palmer, daughter of Peregrine P., and Nancy (nee Blevins) Palmer, one of the old settlers and pioneers of Linn county. In 1871 Mr. Mahurin removed to Sullivan county, Missouri, following farming there until 1881, and then came to the place where he now resides and owns a farm comprising one hundred and twenty acres of land well improved. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mahurin, all living; namely, James M., Stephen J., Laura E., Ed- ward L., Maggie B., Arthur P., Silas A., and Annie V. Mahurin.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
EDWARD O. MITCHELL,
was born in Fayette, Howard county, this State, and educated at Central College, a school under the control of the Southern Methodists, and situated in his native town. After leaving college Mr. Mitchell clerked for some time in a general inerchandise store in Fayette. In 1871 he came to Laclede, and clerked for Reynolds Rummell for two years. He served as township constable. during the years 1873-74, but resigned in the fall of the latter year. After this he went to St. Louis, and there held a position as conduc- tor of a street railway line in that city and was there till 1878. Returning to Laclede he bought the drug store of his brother, and has since been in that business. He took in Mr. W. R. Barton, Jr., as a partner in January, 1880. They are enjoying a flourishing trade in their line. Mr. Mitchell was married in 1873, to Miss Emma McCoy, of Chariton county, Missouri.
WILLIAM B PARKER,
son of Alexander and Eliza (nee Parker) Parker, was born in Mason county, Kentucky, February 7, 1830. Five years later his parents removed to Brown county, Illinois, and there he grew to manhood, being reared on a farm and receiving a common school education. Mr. Parker was married February 20, 1851, to Miss Margaret Ann Haley, daughter of William and Nancy (nee Vance) Haley, of Brown county, Illinois, and formerly of Ken- tucky. Mr. Parker was extremely poor when he married Miss Haley, hav- ing to borrow the money with which to pay for the license. Residing in Linn county, Missouri, now, to which locality he removed in 1876, he lives upon and owns a finely improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well stocked, and composed of thirty acres of timber land. As another in- dication of his prosperity he has given his four married children five hun- dred dollars each with which to begin in the world. Mrs. Parker died Sep- tember 27, 1879, having been an invalid three years before her death. She had been a member of the church for thirty years, and was possessed of a zealous Christian spirit. Fourteen children, were born by this union, nine of whom are still living, the names of the latter being as follows: Alexan- der, Mary Ann, Isabel, Martha, Lydia, Walter, Ella, Freddie, and Maggie. Mr. Parker was again married February 20, 1880, to Mrs. Mary Thomas, who was formerly a Miss Rulinghour, of Livingston county, Missouri. Mr. Parker has been a member of the Baptist Church for thirty years, ten years of which time he has been a deacon in the same.
REV. WILLIAM PENN,
son of William and Ellen (nee Nettie) Penn, was a descendant of the illus- trious William Penn, on his father's side. His mother is a descendant of the Duke of Howard, of England, her mother being a granddaughter of the
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Duke. The subject of this sketch was born while his parents were emi- grating from Maryland to Missouri, fifteen miles east of Indianapolis, In- diana, April 24, 1826. His father and mother settled in Callaway county, Missouri, and there young William spent the greater part of his life, being reared on a farm and educated at subscription schools. In early life he followed farming and stock-raising. Mr. Penn was married, January 9, 1849, to Miss Jane Holt, daughter of Basdell and Jane (nee Wombell) Holt, of Montgomery county, Missouri. Her parents were natives of Vir- ginia. Mr. Penn was justice of the peace and notary public for nine years, and out of over three hundred cases tried before him he never had but one decision reversed. Having resigned the above offices in order to enter the ministry, he was licensed in 1868, ordained in 1872, and has served in dif- ferent fields of labor since. In 1876-77 he was assigned to missionary work in Texas and in the Indian Territory, among the Choctaw, Chicka- saw, Creek, and Cherokee Indians. The climate did not agree with Mr. Penn's wife's health, and he returned to Missouri, purchased the place where he now resides, and at present, on account of his health, fills only two appointments, one in Chariton county and one in Sullivan county. He organized the churches at these places, and they do not wish to lose his services. Mr. Penn and his wife have been members of the church for twenty-five years. He has solemnized one hundred and four marriages. He has also been an exceedingly benevolent man. When he entered the ministry he was worth five thousand dollars, at least half of which he has given to benevolent purposes. Mr. Penn is the father of eight children, all of whom are professors of religion, except the youngest child. The next one to the oldest is an ordained preacher and has taken his father's place in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Penn's children number seven sons and one daugh- ter; namely, William B., Thomas D., John F., James M., Hattie J., Silas P., Henry T., and Samuel A. Penn.
WASHINGTON J. PORTER.
This gentleman was born in Licking county, Ohio, November 9, 1819. In 1831 his parents moved to Coshocton county, of the same State, and there resided till 1835, when they again moved, to Holmes county, still in Ohio. In this latter county, Washington J. Porter was reared on a farm, and also worked in a mill operated by his father. He received his educa- tion in the public schools, and at Fredericksburg Academy, of Wayne county. After attaining his majority, Mr. Porter engaged in farming in the summer, and taught school during the winter season. Prior to his coming to Missouri, he had resided in Tuscarawas and Wayne counties, Ohio, Porter county, Indiana, and, lastly, Decatur county, Iowa. He came to Laclede, in Linn county, in 1859, and was engaged in various occupa- tions till the war. In 1862 he was appointed recruiting officer, with the
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
rank of second lieutenant, to recruit troops for the United States Govern- ment; and, at the organization of the Thirty-third Missouri, was commis- sioned in Company I, with the same rank he held while recruiting. Lieu- tenant Porter participated in the battles of Rolla, Hartville, White River Expedition, and several others. He resigned his commission June 3, 1863, and returned to Linn county. In July he was appointed recruiting officer, with rank of first lieutenant, and was recruiting in Missouri for twelve months succeeding. He was then assigned to Company H, of the Forty- third Missouri, with commission as above, and held that rank till the close of the war, most of the time on staff duty. Shortly before the close, he was post agent at Kansas City. He was mustered out June 30, 1865, and re- turned to his home in Laclede. In 1871 Mr. Porter was elected assessor of Linn county, which position he filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his friends. Since 1873 he has been in the hotel business at Laclede, and the reputation of the Central House, while under his control, he having since sold out, was well known among traveling men as a place where the hungry could satisfy the inner man and the weary could find rest.
Mr. Porter has been twice married, and has one daugter by his first mar- riage, who is now the wife of Mr. Cather, of Chillicothe. His present wife was a Miss Moore,* and he has no children by the last marriage. Mr. Por- ter is a member of the Christian Church, and has been an elder therein for over twenty years, and was one of the charter members of the Laclede con- gregation. He is also an active member of the Good Templar Lodge, and holds the office of worthy chief templar. Mr. Porter had the honor of being the first mayor Laclede ever had, and has always been a useful citizen and a trustworthy gentleman.
JOSEPH H. PRESTON,
son of Joseph and Sarah (nee Hart) Preston, was born in Bedfordshire, England, February 13, 1831, where he grew to manhood, having received a common school education. When a boy he learned the baker's trade, which he followed for several years. In 1851 he came to the United States and located at Cherry Valley, Oswego county, New York, and two years later removed to Detroit, Michigan. In 1855 he went to Boone county, Illinois, and engaged in farming. Remaining there until 1859, he removed to Linn county, Missouri, and purchased the splendid farm upon which he now resides. This comprises four hundred acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation, upon which remarkably heavy crops of corn are raised, and which help to feed as high as two hundred head of hogs per year, besides other stock. Mr. Preston has been a member of the Masonic order twelve years. In 1852 he married Miss Bridget Larkin, daughter of Michael and Mary Larkin, a native of Ireland. By this union there are
*Since the above was written, Mr. Porter has lost his second wife by death.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
the following children; namely, Joseph, William, George, Lizzie, Mattie, Frank, and Grace.
LON PREWITT.
Mr. Prewitt is a native of Linn county, and was born on the twenty-first of February, 1855. He is the son of Benjamin an Fannie Prewitt, and his early life was spent on the farm. He received his education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty went to blacksmithing. He carried on the business in Linneus till June, 1881, when he located at Laclede, where he now does a flourishing business. Mr. Prewitt makes a specialty of horse- shoeing, and has acquired a reputation for executing that kind of work in a very superior manner. In addition to his other business, he has added that of carriage and wagon making. Mr. Prewitt was married, December 20,. 1876, to Miss Sallie Beaket, also a native of this county. They have one child, named Ola. Mr. Prewitt belongs to the Independent Order of Odd. Fellows, but to no other secret order.
WILLIAM J. SCOTT,
son of Laughlin and Jane (nee Bryant) Scott, was born in Ireland, June 22, 1833. There he grew to manhood and learned the stonemason's trade. In 1854 he came to the United States, having been eight weeks on the ocean, because of bad weather. When he landed he had but one English shilling. (twenty-four cents) and did without food for three days. He located in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and lived on a farm for three years. In 1857 he went to Quincy, Illinois, where he lived for ten years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Third Illinois Cavalry and served for three years,. participating in the battles of Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, and numerous skirm- ishes and scouting expeditions. He assisted in guarding the Memphis & Charleston Railroad for some time, and during the last six months of his service was in the ordnance department at Memphis, Tennessee. Enlisting as a private he rose to the rank of orderly sergeant, and was a brave and. true soldier. After the war Mr. Scott returned to Quincy, Illinois, and worked at his trade until 1870 when he removed to Linn county, Missouri, and.purchased the place where he now lives. His farm of ninety-four acres. is well improved and enclosed by hedge. It is energetically and skillfully managed.
Mr. Scott was married September 2, 1872, to Miss Columbia Huss. daughter of Elisha and Elizabeth Huss, of Linn county, Missouri. By this union there were four children, two of whom are living, William A. and. Samuel Scott.
RALPH SMITH
is the son of Ralph and Mary (nee Jordan) Smith, who were natives of England. His father was born in 1799 and his mother in 1800. Both are
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
alive and enjoying good health. They are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was born June 2, 1826, while his father and mother were temporarily in the State of New York, but when he was only three weeks old they settled in Canada, being reared and educated there in Ontario Province. He was brought up as a farmer boy, but preferring professional life he entered Knox College, To- ronto, where he spent seven years, and graduated from that institution in 1849. He had to resort to teaching a part of the time to enable him to raise enough money to pay his way through the college course. Mr. Smith first proposed to fit himself for the ministry, but finally determined to enter upon the study and practice of the law. In 1849, after graduating, he came to the United States, locating in Shelby county, Kentucky, and was pro- fessor at the White Hall Seminary, in that county, two years. In 1851, he accepted the presidency of the Rockport Seminary, Rockport, Indiana, which position he held for five years. Meanwhile he had read law and in 1856, commenced to practice as an attorney, in partnership with Judge DeBruler. This firm continued until 1865, doing the leading business in that and ad- joining counties. Mr. Smith was prosecuting attorney of Spencer county, one term during the war. At the commencement of hostilities he raised two companies and was commissioned captain, but unavoidable reasons pre- vented him from entering upon active service. In 1865 his health began to fail, and wishing to retire from the practice of law, he purchased his pres- ent farm near Laclede, Linn county, Missouri, and has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising, occasionally practicing his profession of the law. His farm comprises three hundred and eighty acres, eighty acres of which are within the corporation limits of Laclede. He has an orchard of twenty acres, being next to the largest one in the county. Mr. Smith being an expert in fruit culture, has in his orchard the very finest selection and variety of fruit. His farm is well stocked, and he makes a specialty of fine sheep, raising the Cotswold and other imported breeds. This farm and stock are valued at about $20,000. Mr. Smith was married in 1858, to Miss Susan E. Palson, daughter of Dr. John and Jane (nee Jones) Palson, a prom- inent physician of Dubois county, Indiana. Her mother, after her hus- band's death, married a Mr. Edmonson, a prominent gentleman and State senator, of Indiana. Mr. Smith received the nomination for judge of the Common Pleas Court, in Linn county, but not desiring to hold office, de- clined the honor. Mrs. Smith is well known as a lecturer upon temperance, woman's rights, and religious subjects. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have only one child living, Jennie M. Smith. Mr. S. has been a member of the church since childhood.
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