JOHN WHITFIELD SMITH
(1834 – 1899)
JOHN WHITFIELD SMITH
MISSOURI ANN “ZOE” YOUNG SMITH
JOHN WHITFIELD SMITH
John Whitfield Smith (Ambrose1, John Rezin2, Whitfield J.3), the son of
Whitfield J. and Mariah L. Sanders Smith was born in the state of Kentucky
on 30 August 1834. He was named to honor his paternal grandfather, John
R. Smith, and his father, Whitfield J. Smith. The date of his birth is
established by his gravestone in the Booneville, Prentiss County, Mississippi
cemetery and the place of birth is established by census records.
John Whitfield Smith spent his formative years growing up on the family
farm in Greensburg, Green County, Kentucky with his parents and four
siblings. He and his brothers helped their father with the farming operation.
He was surrounded by many of the Smith aunts, uncles and cousins as well
as his Smith grandparents. His grandfather Smith died when John Whitfield
was five years old but his grandmother, Lucy Chewning Smith, lived to see
him grow into a fine young man of twenty nine years of age.
On the 1840 census John Whitfield Smith is enumerated in the home of his
parents and siblings. The family is enumerated as follows:
1840 Census Greenup County Kentucky
Name
Free White Males
Free White Females
Whitfield Smith
1 under 5
1 under 5
1 5 – 10
1 5 – 10
1 30 – 40
1 30 – 40
One slave is enumerated in the Whitfield J. Smith home.
Whitfield Smith would of course have been one of the two males between
the ages of thirty to forty; his wife, Mariah, would have been one of the
females between the ages of thirty to forty. John Whitfield Smith would
have been the male enumerated as under the age of five.
In 1850, according to the census, John Whitfield Smith remains in the family
home. The number of children in the dwelling has increased in the last ten
years; there are now five children. He is fifteen years of age and gives his
occupation as that of farmer. His grandmother, Nancy Lucy Chewning
Smith, is living in the home at age eighty. According to the census John
Whitfield Smith was born in Kentucky as were his siblings. The census
reads in part as follows:
1850 Census Green County, Kentucky, District 2
Name
Whitfield Smith
Mariah
Nancy
Louisa
Robert
JOHN
Mary
Mariah
Age Sex Color Occupation
47 M W
46 F W
80 F W
19 F W
16 M W
15 M W
8
F W
5
F W
Farmer
Student
Farmer
Place of Birth
Virginia
Kentucky
Virginia
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
Kentucky
In the year 1860, according to the census of that year, John W. Smith is
residing in Itawamba County, Mississippi where he is employed as a teacher
in the county school. Between 1850 and 1860 Mississippi doubled its
financial support for public school education. Enrollment grew from 18,746
to 30, 970 students, and the number of teachers reached 1,215. In 1859 and
1860 there were 66,524 students in all schools, public and private, and of
these nearly half were in public schools (John K. Bettersworth, Mississippi:
A History, Austin, Texas: The Steck Co., 1959, 257.)
Where John Whitfield Smith received his education that qualified him as a
school teacher is not known. On the 1860 census enumerating his family in
Green County, Kentucky there is a John Money who gives his occupation as
that of school teacher. Perhaps he arrived at the home as a boarder in the
early 1850s and prepared John Whitfield Smith to teach school. John
Whitfield Smith is enumerated on the census as age twenty six. He gave his
place of birth as Kentucky. Living in the same county, Itawamba is his
sister, Louisa. She is age twenty eight and married to Alexander Lucas who
supports his family by farming. Louisa and Alexander Lucas are the parents
of two children, Robert C. who is four years of age and Mary O. who is one
year of age. Both of these children were born in Mississippi indication that
the Lucas family was residents of Mississippi before 1856. It is thought that
this family relationship is what brought John Whitfield Smith to Itawamba
County. It should be noted that until the establishment of Lee County in
1866 the towns of Baldwyn, Guntown, Saltillo, Verona and Shannon
belonged to Itawamba County (Robert Lowry and William H. McCardel, A
History of Mississippi, Spartenburg, South Carolina: The Reprint Company,
Publishers, 1978), 495.) See 1853 Mississippi map on following page.
The census documenting that John Whitfield Smith was in Mississippi and
employed as a school teacher reads in part as follows:
1860 Census, Itawamba County, Mississippi, Page 192, Post Office
Campbellton
Name
John W. Smith
Age Sex Color
26
M
W
Occupation
Teacher County School
John Whitfield Smith is the head of the household and the only resident of
the home. According to the census enumeration he does not live close to his
sister, Louisa Smith Lucas, and her family although they are residing in the
same county.
It should be noted that the Campbellton area was near the present Guntown,
Lee County, Mississippi.
The teaching career of John Whitfield Smith was cut short due to the “late
unpleasantness” in which he took part. Many persons call this tragic conflict
the War Between the States, the War of the Rebellion, the War of the
Secession or the War for Southern Independence; this compiler prefers the
term used by her grandmother, the “late unpleasantness”. This conflict
started on 12 April 1861 when southern artillery fired shots at Fort Sumter in
the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. Mississippi became the second
state, after South Carolina, to secede from the Union. John Whitfield Smith
joined the Confederacy on 16 August 1861. According to his service
records he enlisted at Iuka, Tishomingo County, Mississippi and was
assigned, as a 2nd Lieutenant to Company K, Thirty Second Regiment,
Mississippi Volunteers under the command of Mark Perrin Lowrey. He
was detailed as Adjutant of the company; one of his duties was securing
supplies for his regiment. Mark Perrin Lowrey, original commanding
officer of the Thirty-Second Mississippi Infantry, a veteran of the Mexican
War, had originally commanded a unit in the Mississippi Militia in 1861.
For distinction at the Battle of Chickamauga he was promoted to the rank of
Brigadier General. He commanded his brigade until 14 March 1865. On
that date General Lowrey resigned his commission for unknown reason.
According to the service records of John Whitfield Smith he enlisted for a
period of three years. Evidently he served his Regiment in the role of
Adjutant very well; he was promoted in 1863 to the rank of 1stLieutenant.
The Thirty Second Mississippi Infantry participated in a number of various
type engagements during the War. It is not known in which of these
engagements John Whitfield Smith participated. The engagements in which
the Thirty Second Regiment was involved in are listed below. Numbers
after the events locate them on the maps following the listing of
engagements (Confederate Research Center, P.O. Box 619, Hillsboro, TX
76645).
Retreat from Perryville (1) to London (2) Kentucky
Oct. 10-22, 1863
Battle, Stone’s river, Murfreesborough, Tennessee (3)
Dec. 30, 1862Jan. 3, 1863
Campaign in Middle Tennessee (Tollahoma Campaign
June 23-July7,
1863
Occupation of Middle Tennessee, passage of the
Cumberland Mountains, and Chickamauga, GA (4)
Campaign
Aug. 16-Sep 22
1863
Battle, Chickamauga, GA (4)
Sept. 19-21, 1863
Siege, Chattanooga, TN (5)
Sept. 24-Nov. 23
1863
Campaign, Chattanooga, TN (5) and Ringgold, GA
Nov. 23-27, 1863
Actions, tunnel Hill, Terminus of Missionary Ridge,
TN. (7)
Nov. 24-25, 1863
Assault and capture, Missionary Ridge, TN (7)
Nov. 25, 1863
Engagement, Ringgold Gap, Taylor’s Ridge, GA (8)
Nov. 27, 1863
Operations against the Demonstration on Dalton, GA (9) Feb. 22-27, 1864
Actions, Tunnel Hill (10), Buzzard’s Roost Gap (11),
and Rockey Faced Ridge (12), GA
Feb. 23-25, 1864
Atlanta Campaign
May 1-Sept. 8,
1864
Operations against the Demonstration on Rocky Faced
Ridge, GA (12)
May 8-11, 1864
Combat, Buzzard’s Roost Gap, Mill Creek, GA
May 8-9, 1864
Battle, Resaca, GA (13)
May 14-15, 1864
Combats near Cassville, GA (14)
May 18-19, 1864
Operations on the line of Pumpkin vine Creek (15)
and Battles about Dallas (16), New Hope Church (17)
and Allatoona Hill (18), GA
May 25-June 5,
1864
Combat, New Hope Church, GA (17)
May 25, 1864
Operations about Marietta (19) and against
Kenesaw Mountain (20) GA
July 10-July 2
1864
Combats about Pine Hill, GA (21)
June 11-14. 1864
Combats about Lost Mountain, GA (22)
June 15-17, 1864
Combat, Noyes’ Creek, GA (23)
June 19, 1864
Combat, Kolb’s Farm, GA (23)
June 22, 1864
Assault, Kenesaw Mountain, GA (20)
June 27, 1864
Operations on the line of Nickajack Creek, GA (25)
July 2-5, 1864
Operations on the line of the Chattahoochee
River, GA (26)
July 5-17, 1864
Battle, Peach Tree Creek, GA (27)
Engagement, Bald Hill (Leggett’s Hill, GA (28)
July 19-20, 1864
July 20-21, 1864
Battle, Atlanta, GA (29)
July 22, 1864
Siege, Atlanta, GA (30)
July 23-Aug 25
1864
Combats, Utoy Creek, GA (31)
Aug. 5-7, 1864
Battle, Jonesborough, GA (32)
Aug.31-Sept.1,
The service records of John Whitfield Smith
1864
state that he was wounded at Jonesborough and sent to the hospital.
Engagement, Lovjoy Station, GA (33)
Sept. 2-5, 1864
Hood’s Operations in Northern Georgia and
Northern Alabama
Sept. 29-Nov. 3,
1864
Engagement, Spring Hill, TN (34)
Nov. 29, 1864
Battle, Franklin, TN (35)
Nov. 30, 1864
Battle, Nashville, TN (36)
Dec. 15-16, 1864
Retreat to the Tennessee River near
Bridgeport, AL (37)
Dec. 17-28, 1864
Campaign of the Carolinas
Jan. 30-April 26,
1864
Battle of Averysborough (Taylor’s Hole Creek),
NC (38)
March 16, 1865
Battle of Bentonville, NC (39)
March 19-21, 1865
Surrender, Bennett’s House, Durham Station NC (40)
April 26, 1865
The parole of honor signed by J. W. Smith reads as follows:
No. 341
I the undersigned Prisoner of War belonging to the Army of the Department
of Alabama Mississippi and east Louisiana having been surrendered by Sgt.
Gen. L. Taylor C.S.A. Commanding said Department to Maj. Gen. E.R.S.
Ganky U.S.A. commanding Army and Division of West Mississippi do
hereby give my solemn Parole of Honor that I will not hereafter serve in the
Armies of the Confederate States in any auxiliary capacity whatever against
the United States of America its annex and to the enemies of the latter until
properly exchanged in said manner as shall be offered by the respective
authorities.
Done at Meridian, Mississippi
This 23th day of May 1865
J.W. Smith
1st Lt. Adj. 32nd Miss Inf.
Approved:
---------- Miles, Colonel C.S.A.
Harry Bethany, Col. U.S.A.
The above named officer will not be disturbed by the United States
authorities as long as he observes his parole, and the laws in force where he
resides.
Harry Bethany
Col. 2nd Vols., Commissioner for the U.S.
A family story told by Mary Ethel Falls that she heard numerous times from
her mother, Irma Smith Falls and grandmother, Missouri Ann Young Smith
is as follows:
While John Whitfield Smith was serving in the Confederacy one of his
friends was wounded in battle. This friend ask John Whitfield Smith to
promise him that if he did not recover from his wounds that he would go to
Tishomingo County and tell the young lady, Missouri Ann Young, to whom
he was engaged, about his death. John Whitfield Smith honored the request
of his friend and made his way to Blythe’s Chapel where he delivered the
sad news to his deceased friend’s fiancée. While a guest in the Young home
he was quite taken with this young lady and after leaving made a vow to
himself that if he survived the terrible War he would return to Tishomingo
County and marry her. The War ended, he survived. John Whitfield Smith
signed his parole papers on 12 May 1865. He did indeed return to
Tishomingo County where he courted and married Missouri Ann Young on
5 February 1867 (Tishomingo Co., MS Marriage License).
Details of the wedding are not known; at this time middle class brides were
often married in a “best dress” and veil, although some magazines
considered it inappropriate to wear a veil with a dress that was not white.
The dress would be what they would wear to church or parties. Often this
was a dark color to wear well, and could be any type of fabric. Wool,
cotton, and silk were popular choices of the day. For brides who would have
a small wedding and be “going away” after, most fashion magazines
recommended being married in her traveling dress with an appropriate
bonnet. Although we do not know about the attire worn at the wedding it is
known that the bride received a large gold wedding band. Julia Greene
Perry is in possession of the gold wedding band placed on Missouri Ann’s
hand by John Whitfield on their wedding day
Missouri Ann Young, born 28 September 1844, was the daughter of Joseph
and Matilda Hale Bell Young (Ms Death Certificate, State File No. 771).
She resided with her family on a farm in the Blythe’s Chapel area of
Tishomingo County. Sheep, among other farm animals were raised by her
father. Missouri Ann told of the sheering of the sheep, carding and spinning
the wool into yarn enabling her and her sisters to knit sox for the men
serving in the War. Another story of living through the War years she
related to her children was about the Yankees raiding the farm for food and
animals; she stood by the window and watched crying as they led away her
horse.
John Whitfield Smith and his new bride resided in Baldwyn, Tishomingo
County, Mississippi when they were first married. It was here that their first
child, Inez, was born on 3 December 1867 and their second child, Lillian, on
25 March 1870. Tishomingo County was the largest county in the state of
Mississippi; it embraced the present counties of Tishomingo, Alcorn and
Prentiss. The total area of this county was 923,040 acres. On 7 April 1870
Prentiss County was established from Tishomingo. The Smith family was
now living in a newly formed county without moving their residence. On 3
June 1870 the census of the new county was enumerated listing the John
Whitfield Smith family; it reads in part as follows:
1870 Census, Prentiss County, Mississippi Township 6, Range 6 East,
Post Office - Baldwyn
Name
Smith, John W.
, Zoe Ann
, Inez
, Lillian
, Belle
Age Sex Color
35
25
2
2/12
35
M
F
F
F
F
W
W
W
W
B
Occupation
Retail Merchant
Keeping House
Domestic Servant
From this census it is determined that John Whitfield Smith and his wife,
Missouri Ann “Zoe” were residents of Baldwyn. In the home were their two
daughters, Inez who was two years old and Lillian who was two months old.
Zoe had live in help, Belle who was a black, residing in the home. John W.
Smith was a retail merchant. He listed his value of real estate at $500.00 and
his value of personal property at $300.00. The census states that John W.
was born in Kentucky, Zoe, the two daughters as well as the domestic
servant were born in Mississippi.
The father of John Whitfield Smith, Whitfield J. Smith, was living in
Prentiss County in 1870. He is enumerated on the 1860 census of Green
County, Kentucky with his wife, Mariah, and two daughters, Susan M. age
eighteen and Mariah Bates age fourteen; also living in the home was his
mother, Lucy Chewning Smith. Between 1860 and 1870 big changes took
place in the home of Whitfield. Susan evidently married and left home, after
1860 and before 1868 Mariah, his wife, died and his mother died on 27 May
1863. Apparently there was no reason for Whitfield and Mariah “Batie” to
remain in Kentucky; they moved to Baldwyn, Prentiss County, Mississippi.
Whitfield married, for the second time, Harriet B. Jones on 18 October 1868
in Tishomingo County according to a marriage certificate issued in this
county. She was the widow of Joseph B. Jones, a farmer in the county, who
had died on 1 September 1862. They are enumerated on the 1870 census as
follows:
Smith, Whitfield
, Harriet
, Batie
, James
65
59
20
12
M
F
F
M
W
W
W
B
Farmer
Keeping House
Also living in Prentiss County was the brother-in-law of John Whitfield
Smith, Alexander Lucas. It has been noted on the 1860 census that
Alexander Lucas, his wife Louisa Smith Lucas, and two children were
residing in Itawamba County as was John Whitfield Smith. Before 1870
another child is born to this family and Louisa is deceased. Alexander Lucas
has remarried to Mary E. Miller.
Living in Prentiss County in 1870 was John Whitfield Smith and his family,
his father, Whitfield J. Smith, his sister, Mariah “Batie” Smith, his former
brother-in-law, Alexander Lucas, one Lucas nephew and 3 Lucas nieces.
From a family story it is known that John W. and Zoe Smith became the
parents of a son while living in Baldwyn. Elizabeth Reese, the daughter of
Terry Dalton and Lillian Smith Reese, and grand daughter of John W. and
Zoe Smith tells of a son that was born while the family was living in
Baldwyn. This little boy fell into the fire and died as a result of his burns.
Elizabeth could not remember the child’s name; she thought it was Torrence,
Trabue, Terrance or something to this effect. This compiler has located a
gravestone in the Baldwyn cemetery believed to be the burial place for this
child. The gravestone reads as follows:
ROBERT TRABUE SMITH
1872 – 1873
Credence is given to Elizabeth Reese’s story for the following reasons.
Elizabeth was good at remembering family stories told by her mother and
grand mother. She and her family lived next door to Zoe Smith so she was
exposed to the family stories. The dates on the stone are correct to be the son
of John W. Smith. The date of Robert Trabue’s birth and death is the time
they were residing in Baldwyn. The name Trabue is unusual and Elizabeth
thought this might be the name of the child. The name Trabue is used in
other branches of the Smith family through several generations. John
Whitfield Smith had a brother named Robert. On the 1900 census Zoe
Smith states that she was the mother of five children with four living. The
four living children were Inez, Lillian, Irma and Julian. It is more probable
than not that the Robert Trabue Smith buried in the Baldwyn cemetery is the
son of John Whitfield and Missouri Ann Young Smith.
As stated before, Prentiss County was formed in 1870. In 1870, according
to Fan Cochran Alexander, History of Old Tishomingo County Mississippi
Territory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: Barnhart Publishing Co., 253, the
newly formed Prentiss County had a population of 9,248 people. The total
number of people over the age of twenty one was 2,013. Of the county
population there were 1,729 white voters and 271 colored voters.
In that year officials were appointed to serve the county. Their term of
office was for one year. In 1871 the first election was held and these
officials served the county for two year terms. The second county election
was held in 1873; it was in this election that John Whitfield Smith was
elected to serve as Circuit Clerk for the county. It gives family members a
wonderful feeling to go in the courthouse today and see the old, well worn
books that are over one hundred years embossed in gold on the spine with
the book title, year and J.W. Smith, Clerk.
John Whitfield Smith and his family moved to Booneville, the county seat,
after being elected to the office of Circuit Clerk in Booneville, on what is
now Church Street, they constructed a beautiful two story home. Here they
reared their family and entertained their friends and their children’s friends.
This home was a city historical landmark until it burned on 11 March 1954.
An article published in the local newspaper describes the home and gives
some insight in the ways the Smith family used and enjoyed their home.
The article reads as follows:
The Booneville Banner Independent March 11, 1954
Fire Destroys City Landmark
The recent destruction of the residence of Mrs. W.D. Holliday,
in east Booneville by fire is regretted. It was not only a loss to the
present owner but one of the cherished landmarks of Booneville
and Prentiss County has been removed.
This was the original home of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. (Tater) Smith,
a beloved couple, who many years ago ended an abundant life of
community service. It is heartening to reflect upon the many ways in
which they enriched the lives of so many people.
Mr. Smith was prominent as a county official. His splendid
record as Circuit Clerk has left its impress.
Mrs. Smith, a gracious, lovely lady, was known for her love and
loyalty, for kinsmen and friends. Her recipes were sought by
housewives of Booneville when searching for the best in the fine art
of cookery. Her needlework was prizewinning. Her flowers that
flourished through her loving care reached near perfection. She was
generous with her blossoms, giving plants which were enjoyed
indefinitely by her friends.
There was always a charming grouping of pot plants to give a
garden touch to the side porch. In the collection were those dear to all
southerners – tuberoses, fuchsias, rose, apple, nutmeg, staghorn and
lemon geraniums. She furnished Magnolia buds and blossoms for all
occasions. From her greenhouse some of the finest specimen
chrysanthemums were shipped to the New Orleans and Mobile
markets for the All Saints observances. “Aunt Zou’s” was one whose
experiences were respected and admired in any undertaking.
The Smith home is thought of as a traditional home. It
expressed a way of life, not a style. There it stood, in simple dignity
for almost a century on a Magnolia shaded lawn. The years had given
the house a hallowed, mellowed atmosphere, and boxwood grew
thickly at the doorway. From its inviting approach radiated
hospitality, an inherent trait, which has been passed on to the younger
generation of this family.
In this home were born the first owners four children, Mrs. Inez
Smith McCarley, Mrs. Lillian Smith Rees, and Mrs. Irma Smith Falls,
a son, Jule Smith, remembered today for his business leadership, his
long term service on the City Board, his genial and beneficent nature.
Mrs. Falls, who now lives in Tupelo, is the only one of the children
living.
This structure housed many happy children and brimmed with
devotion and laughter, yet it offered quietness for spiritual meditation
and concentration.
The sons of Mrs. Jule Smith and the late Mr. Smith, Marion and
Gerald, were born here, and several of the Falls children.
The memory and influence of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who
established the home, will linger in this community on and on.
Booneville truly regrets the loss of this historical landmark.
John Whitfield Smith served in the office of Circuit Clerk from 1873
through 1883. When the 1881 election was held the population of
Booneville was approximately 500 people. In this election 1160 votes were
cast from the city and county.
The Smith family was becoming larger. Irma DeMay was born on 2 August
1875. One can only imagine how much Zoe Smith enjoyed having three
little girls to dress in ruffles and bows and help them with preparations for
their tea parties. Four years later, on 14 February 1879 a son, Julian, was
born. With the birth of this son the family was completed. How pleased
John Whitfield must have been to have a son to carry on the family name.
The 1880 census of Prentiss County, Mississippi enumerated the John
Whitfield Smith family as follows:
1880 Census Booneville, Prentiss County, Mississippi
Name
Smith, John W.
, Zoe Y.
, Inez
, Lillian
, Irma
, Julian
, Henderson
Allen, Sam P.
Color Sex Age Relationship
W
W
W
W
W
W
B
W
M
F
F
F
F
M
M
M
45
35
12
10
4
1
11
30
Wife
Daughter
Daughter
Daughter
Son
Servant
Occupation
Circuit Court Clerk
Keeping house
At school
At school
Lawyer
The census gives the occupation of John W. Smith as Clerk of the Circuit
Court. He is forty five years of age and his wife, Zoe, is thirty five. They
have their four children: Inez, Lillian, Irma and Julian living in the home.
Their ages are from twelve years of age to one year old. In the home is a
young black man who is a servant. It is thought that he helped Mrs. Smith
with her famous gardens and green house flowers. Sam P. Allen is not a
member of the Smith family. It is more likely than not that Sam P. Allen
and John Whitfield Smith became friends through knowing each other at the
Prentiss County Courthouse. The Allen family and Smith family were close
friends through several generations.
The Smith children grew into young adults. The eldest daughter, Inez,
became interested in the young men of Booneville. Moses Glenn Mc Carley
was her special gentleman caller and they began making plans for a
wedding. They were married on 25 March 1888. The first few years of their
married life they resided with Glen Mc Carley’s widowed mother where he
helped her run the farm on which they lived. Lillian Smith became engaged
to Terry Dalton Rees of Booneville. They were married, the day after
Christmas, on 26 December 1894. Irma Smith and Clarence Frank Falls
declared their love for each other and they were married on 11 October
1897. John W. Smith and his wife were left with one unmarried son, Julian,
living in the home.
Census records for 1890 are not available.
J.W. Smith was again elected to serve as Circuit Clerk in 1895. This was the
first group of county officials elected to serve for a four year term. This was
an office he would hold until his death.
Four years after the election, on 11 October 1899, John Whitfield Smith died
in his Booneville home leaving a widow with one single son, married
daughters and grandchildren and a host of friends in bereavement. His
funeral was held at the family home with the full rites of a Masonic burial
service held at the Booneville Cemetery. A copy of the funeral notice,
published in the Booneville newspaper, is on the following page.
FUNERAL NOTICE
The friends and acquaintances of the late
J.W. SMITH
Are respectfully invited to attend his funeral
from the family residence to-morrow (Friday)
morning at 10 o’clock.
Masonic Burial Service
Booneville, Mississippi
October 12, 1899
John Whitfield Smith was buried in the Booneville Cemetery. His grave
stone reads as follows:
JOHN W. SMITH
BORN
Aug. 30, 1834
DIED
Oct. 11, 1899
According to the 1900 census a brother of Missouri Ann Young Smith,
Joseph Edmund Young, is living in the home next door to her residence.
One can imagine that it was a comfort and great help having him and his
family residing close to her. On the other side of Missouri Ann Young
Smith lived her daughter, Lillian Smith along with her husband and son.
1900 Census Prentiss Co, Booneville, Mississippi
Name
143 Young, J.E,
Emma C.
Myrtle
Lula
Zena
Corthwan, Sallie
Relationship Sex Month,Year of Birth
Head
Wife
Daughter
Daughter
Daughter
Servant
M
F
F
F
F
F
December 1855
July 1856
November 1879
March 1886
June 1841
Age
44
43
20
14
8
49
The above census documents that J. E. Young supported his family through
his occupation as a teamster. A To Zax by Barbara Jean Evans, page 260,
defines a teamster as: A driver of two or more horses pulling a vehicle. J.E.
and Emma Young had been married for twenty two years when the census
was enumerated. Lula and Zena were attending school. The Young family
had a black servant, Sallie, age forty nine, who was the family cook.
Name
144 Smith, Zoe
Julian
Relationship Sex
Head
Son
F
M
Month, Year of Birth
Age
September 1844
February 1879
55
21
The census shows that Missouri Ann Young Smith and her son, Julian, were
residing in the home. She is a widow, age fifty five. She was the mother of
five children, four of which are still living. As stated previously the first
child, Trabue Smith, died in 1873. Julian is single and age twenty one. His
occupation is that of a grocery salesman.
Adjacent to the Smith home is the residence of Terry Rees. His wife was
Lillian Smith Rees, daughter of John W. and Zoe Young Smith. They were
the parents of one son, Teddy, when the 1900 census was enumerated.
Name
145 Rees, Terry
Lillian
Teddy V.
Relationship Sex
Head
Wife
Son
M
F
M
Month, Year of Birth
Age
December 1867
March 1870
February 1898
32
30
2
According to the census Terry Rees occupation was that of a stock dealer.
He and Lillian Smith had been married for five years when the census was
enumerated.
Living in Prentiss County, but not in the same area as her mother, is Inez
Smith McCarley. The census documents that Glen Mc Carley and his family
resides with his mother, Margaret Mc Carley. The mother is enumerated as
a widow and listed as the owner of the farm on which they live. Evidently
Glen Mc Carley is helping his mother manage the farm. The two families
are supported by this farming operation He and his wife, Inez Smith, are the
parents of five children. They have been married for eleven years. The
census reads in part as follows:
Name
Relationship Sex
67 McCarley, Margaret
Glen
Inez
Earnest
Marguerite
Robert S.
Katie L.
Glen
Head
F
Son
M
Dau.In Law F
Grand Son M
Grand Dau F
Grand Son M
Grand Dau F
Grand Dau F
Month, Year of Birth
Age
May 1843
March 1862
December 1868
July 1889
June 1891
December 1893
April 1896
September 1899
57
38
31
10
8
6
4
8/12
Irma Smith who married Clarence Frank Falls has not been located on the
1900 census.
Missouri Ann Young Smith remained in her home with her son, Julian
Smith. At this time he had completed his education at Union University at
Jackson, Tennessee. After graduating from Union University he came back
to Booneville and began a business as well as the business of courting the
local girls of Booneville. The girl of his choice was Cristobel Walker; they
were married on 1 June 1904. He was involved with the retail grocery
business and in 1905 opened The Jule Smith Grocery which he operated
until his death.
The 1910 census of Prentiss County Mississippi enumerated Zoe Smith in
the home of her daughter, Irma Smith, and son-in-law, Frank Falls. The
census reads in part as follows:
Nme
Falls, Frank
, Irma
, Mary E.
, George
, Tommie
, Clarence
, Eolyn
, John
, Lewis
Smith, Zoe
Relationship
head
wife
dau
son
dau
son
dau
son
son
mother-in-law
Age
38
34
11
9
7
5
3
5/12
5/12
66
Occupation
drug salesman
At this time Zoe Smith was perhaps in the Falls home to help her daughter
with the children. As enumerated on the census Irma and Frank Falls were
the parents of seven children with the last two being twins.
When the 1820 census of Booneville, Prentiss County, Mississippi was
enumerated Zoe Smith was residing in her own home. She was seventy five
years of age. The census reads in part as follows:
Name
Relationship
Smith, Zoe Y.
head
Age
75
On the 1830 census Missouri Ann “Zoe “ Young Smith remains in her own
home and is living alone.
Name
Smith, Zoe
Relationship
head
Age
85
Missouri Ann “Zoe” Young Smith was respected and loved by the people of
Booneville. The following article that was published in 1831in the local
newspaper, The Booneville Banner, gives details of the Smith home and tells
us something of the character of Zoe Smith:
WHO’S WHO AND WHY
IN PRENTISS COUNTY
MRS ZOE SMITH
Admid the modern homes, the formally laid-off
lawns and gardens, none of us fail to appreciate the old
fashioned ante-bellum home with its quaint but charming
garden. Such a home has Mrs. Zoe Smith, romantic in its
setting in magnolias, perennial box trees, arborvitaes and
old fashioned flowers. We cherish such places as these,
as we love and appreciate the lives that keep them for us.
Mrs. Smith, lovingly called “Miss Zoe” by everybody
who knows her, was born and reared near Blythe’s Chapel.
Her maiden name was Zoe Young. She learned to knit when
she was a girl, along with her three sisters, only one of whom
is still living – Mrs. Robinson. Her one brother is Mr. Ed
Young. Her father had a flock of sheep, and she remembers
knitting wool socks day and night for the soldiers during the
Civil War. She had completed her schooling at home and was
prepared to go to college in Athens, Alabama when the war
interrupted her plans.
Also, John Whitfield Smith was a young soldier then in
General M.P. Lowrey”s Company in the Virginia Army. He
was wounded three times, two of the times in the battle of
Franklin and Chancellorsville, Virginia.
“Miss Zoe” and her husband were both baptized by
General Lowrey, the “Fighting Parson,” when they joined the
Baptist Church.
They were married two years after the close of the war.
They lived in Baldwyn, when Mr. Smith was elected to the
Office of Circuit Clerk of Prentiss County, which office he held
for 20 years.
Mrs. Smith says when she and her husband moved to
Booneville and select the site where they built their present
home it was overgrown with sedge grass and had been the
camping ground for the soldiers during the war. She planted
the magnolias which still stand and their home was the only
house along the street at that time. Mrs. Smith’s four children
all live in Booneville, one son and three daughters – Mr. Jule
Smith, Mrs. Glen Mc Carley, Mrs. Frank Falls and Mrs. Terry
Rees. Mrs. Smith’s husband died thirty-two years ago.
Eighty-six years is not old for her. She is a fine example
of the late idea that years do not measure age. She possesses
many most unusual traits of character. She is independent, takes
care of herself. She still does her housekeeping and her cooking.
She loves her flowers and looks after them. They are very
beautiful. She is a great reader, the daily paper, magazines
and books. She keeps posted on all the news, reads until
eleven or twelve o’clock each night. She is versatile and
her mind is keen and alert. She is an expert with a sewing
needle. For darning she holds the banner – no one else in
her class. Her early training in knitting and darning for the
soldier boys may account for some of the expertness. All
in all she is one of the noblest of the noble. She is a fine
type of the southern woman. She is a friend that you like
better each time and continue to prize more highly.
As mentioned in the above article Zoe Smith loved her flowers, she had a
green house and produced beautiful plants and flowers which she gladly
shared with others. A southern tradition on Mother’s Day is for one with a
living mother to wear a red flower and one who has a deceased mother to
wear white. On the Saturday before Mother’s Day she always cut huge
bouquets of red and white roses which she took to her church. These roses
along with pins were placed in the vestibule of the church so those attending
services could take the appropriate color rose and wear it in honor of their
mother.
Missouri Ann Young “Zoe” Smith, after leading a full and rewarding life,
died at her home in Booneville on 12 June 1931. She is buried in the
Booneville Cemetery at the side of her husband who preceded her in death.
The notice of her funeral was published in the local newspaper on 11 June
1931.
The Booneville Banner – Independent
11 June 1931
FUNERAL NOTICE
The friends and acquaintances of the late
MRS. ZOE SMITH
Are respectfully invited to attend her funeral
This (Saturday) afternoon at four o’clock at
Baptist Church
Booneville, Miss., June 13th 1931
W.K. McMillian & Son, funeral Directors
A NOBLE CHARACTER PASSES TO THE BEYOND
From the obituaries published in the newspaper it is known that she was a
valued citizen of Booneville, Mississippi.
A NOBLE CHARACTER PASSES
TO THE BEYOND
Many hearts are made sorrowful and a sense of deep personal loss is
felt in the passing of Mrs. Zoe Young Smith, a beloved and valued citizen
who died Friday evening at her home following a short illness.
The last tender rites were held Saturday afternoon at 4 O’clock from
the Baptist Church and her body was then reverently laid to rest by the side
of the devoted husband who died thirty-one years ago. Rev. J.D. Thompson,
pastor of the Baptist Church of which Mrs. Smith was a devout member,
assisted by Rev. J.V. Bennett, conducted the obsequies. Rev. Thompson
spoke of her great strength of character and wonderful blessing she had been
to the community. A large concourse was present attesting the love and
appreciation for a beautiful life.
Never were flowers more profuse or more exquisite. Mrs. Smith was
a great lover of flowers, and gave them generously to her friends. In the
kindness of her nature her hands, her heart, were ever full. She was
welcome at the couch of the sick and suffering for her presence and her
flowers brought hope and cheer.
Mrs. Smith was the daughter of the late Joseph Young, a pioneer and
man of knightly bearing, truly a typical southern gentleman. She was
married to Mr. John W. Smith in 1867, an honored citizen and popular
Circuit Clerk of the county for many years. Through the long and busy
years of her life she remained ever faithful to the memory of him who was
her companion. Deceased was given excellent educational advantages. Her
devotion to books and school duties instilled a ripe and marked learning.
She was cultured, refined of manner and a woman of very high ideals. Her
great charm of mind made association most pleasant. Her very personality
was inspiring. She had a quality which endeared her to all who had the
privilege to feel the sweet influence of her gentle nature. Few have the
buoyancy of spirit, that vitality which keeps one from ever growing old.
Hers was a light that never lost its brightness. Her death has left a void
which can never be filled.
Mrs. Smith was an affectionate mother and her children most devoted.
Surviving are three daughters, Mrs. Inez McCarley, Mrs. T.D. Reese, Mrs.
Frank Falls;; one son, Mr. Jule Smith; a sister, Mrs. W.M. Robinson of
Corinth and a brother Mr. Ed Young of this place, a number of
grandchildren , nieces and nephews to whom the deepest sympathy is
offered.
MRS ZOE SMITH
PASSES AWAY
The death of Mrs. Zoe Smith last Friday evening brought sadness to
her many friends and relatives. Mrs. Smith had been sick only a few days
suffering from an infection of the lip that developed into a carbuncle. She
was about 80 years of age and a great part of her life had been spent in
Booneville. Many years ago she became the bride of John W. Smith, who
filled the office of Circuit Clerk for many years. He was a popular and
efficient officer and a confederate soldier.
Since his death about 30 years ago, Mrs. Smith continued to reside at
the old homestead, though often asked to make her home with her children.
No woman of Booneville was more beloved than Mrs. Smith. With her
sunny disposition, she made friends wherever she went. She was a life-long
member of the Baptist Church and took the keenest pleasure in attending its
services and helping in its activities.
She is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Inez Mc Carley, Mrs. Irma
Falls, and mrs. Lillian Rees and one son, Julian Smith; a brother Mr. Ed
Young and a sister Mrs. Lula Robinson of Corinth and a host of other
relatives.
The funeral took place Saturday afternoon from the Baptist church;
the services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. J.D. Thompson, assisted by
Bro. Bennett, pastor of the Methodist church. At the conclusion of the
service her body was carried to the Booneville Cemetery and tenderly laid to
rest beside her husband and the new made mound was banked with a
profusion of lovely flowers attesting the esteem in which she was held in the
community.
Mc Millan Funeral Directors had charge of the funeral arrangements.
SMITH GRAVESTONE
Booneville Cemetery
Booneville, Mississippi
Inscriptions on sides of large center gravestone pictured on previous page.
CHILDREN OF
JOHN WHITFIELD
AND
MISSOURI ANN YOUNG SMITH
1. INEZ SMITH
2. LILLIAN SMITH
3. ROBERT TRABUE SMITH
4. IRMA DeMAY SMITH
5. JULIEN SMITH
INEZ SMITH
Inez Smith (Ambrose1 John R.2 Whitfield J.3 John Whitfield4), the first born
child of John Whitfield and Missouri Ann Young Smith, was born on 3
December 1867. At this time the Smith family resided in Baldwyn, Prentiss
County, Mississippi.
The Jule Smith Grocery Store opened in Booneville in 1905. The store was
located on Main Street. In 1928 the store changed to a wholesale grocery
business and served the area for several years in this capacity. During the
depression the Jule Smith Grocery Store closed out the wholesale service
and re-entered the retail grocery business on Market Street. This store
offered the first general delivery service in Booneville. This delivery service
was by horse and wagon. Jule Smith died in 1943 and his son, Gerald
Smith, took charge of the business.
OBITUARY FOR JULIEN SMITH - BOONEVILLE BANNER MAY 20, 1943
BOONEVILLE BUSINESS MAN DIES WEDNESDAY
Death of a Leading North East Mississippi Business Man Widely Regretted
Mr. Jule Smith, 63, prominent Mississippi business man and outstanding Mason, died
at his home Wednesday evening after a heart seizure a few hours before.
Mr. Smith, a lover of all mankind, was great because he used his strength and
resources to uplift. His spirit of brotherhood and fraternalism were without peer. The
people who called him friend are legion in places both humble and high.
Rites were held from his late residence Sunday morning at 9:30 conducted by Rev.
J.D. Thompson and assisted by Rev. Thad H. Ferrell, with perhaps the largest number
ever assembled to pay tribute to a local citizen.
The unusual profusion of lovely floral offerings, telegrams, and hundreds of other
messages of comfort, were wonderful testimonials of esteem.
He was the only son of the late Mr. J.W. Smith and Mrs. Zoe Young Smith, leading
citizens of BOONEVILLE.
His father was Circuit Clerk of Prentiss county for many years, serving with ability
and distinction. While Adjutant in the War Between the States he was twice wounded.
His mother was one of Booneville's finest and best loved women.
His devotion to their ideals and his loyalty in family life was outstanding. it is said
home is the chief school of human virtue.
In 1904 he was married to Miss Christabel Walker, a lady of exceptional beauty and
popularity. Their home was endowed with charm and hospitality and the splendid
traditions fostered by the finest families of our Southland which they represented. This
splendid couple gave to the world a talented dependable and wholesome family. Three
children were born to their union, two sons Lieutenant Marion W. Smith of Camp Lee,
Va. and Pvt. Gerald Smith of Miami, Fla., are now in the service, a daughter, Mrs. Grace
Smith Greene of Booneville.
He was a member of the Baptist Church and one of its strongest financial supporters.
he was a lover of Masonry, justice and mercy. he knew the fullest meaning of the
order and lived up to its sublime purposes.
He utilized his ability and his means in behalf of his fellow man with multiplied
sympathy, understanding and generosity.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 305, a Shriner, 32nd degree Mason and
Knight Templar.
His active sympathy for all in need everywhere his spirit of helpfulness was
substantially expressed through many channels. He was one the organizers and
promoters of the Goodfellows. In this beneficent service of giving cheer to desolate
homes, he found the greatest satisfaction.
He was an influential leader and a staunch advocate of any move for the advancement
of our town. He was connected with several local business enterprises.
His remarkable business sagacity, philosophical sense of humor, good personality and
gift for making friends, made him a successful business career. For many years he has
operated a modern grocery store.
He served several terms as a member of the Board of Aldermen.
He impressed the people with his frank, honorable way in his business relationship as
well as his official actions. He had already experienced in a marked degree the
broadening and strengthening influence which responsibility brings to men in his
successful association with many people and he was capable of benefiting from these by
his adequacies of character and intellect.
He leaves behind the greatest thing on earth...character. This is a heritage that his
children may be proud of, The spirit of his good life will forever shed its power.
Internment took place in the family plot in the Booneville Cemetery, with the
conferring of Masonic honors.
Survivors are his wife, two sons, a daughter, two sisters, Mrs. Inez McCarley and Mrs.
Frank Falls, three grandchildren, billy Smith, Sue Smith and Julia Anne Greene.
Many friends from Baldwyn, Tupelo, West Point, Corinth and other towns attended
the services.
McMillan and son Funeral Directors were in charge of arrangements.
Gerald J. Smith Services Were Held On December 17
Gerald J. Smith, 68, of Booneville died Monday December 15, at the
North East Mississippi Hospital in Booneville.
Services were conducted Wednesday, December 17, from the McMillian
Funeral home Chapel with interment in the Booneville Cemetery. Minister
Tom Rayburn officiated.
He was a retired grocery store owner, a veteran of World War II, a
member of the VFW and a member of the First Baptist Church of
Booneville. He was also a member of the American Legion.
He is survived by one son, Billy A. Smith of Memphis; one brother,
Marion W. Smith of Booneville; one sister, Mrs. Grace Lowe of Davenport,
Fla.; two grandchildren, Mrs. Larry Bright of Olive Branch and Steve Smith
of Memphis; one great granddaughter, Denise Elaine Bright of Memphis.
McMillian Funeral home of Booneville was in charge of
arrangements.
PROMINENT YOUNG COUPLE UNITED IN MORNING CEREMONY
Mr. and Mrs. Julien Smith announce the marriage of their daughter, Grace
Walker, to Mr. George Stanley Greene, on Sunday the twenty-seventh of
August, nineteen hundred and thirty nine, Booneville, Mississippi.
Only members of the immediate family were present when the impressive
ceremony was said by Rev. J.D. Thompson, pastor of the First Baptist
Church.
The bride’s costume in the new silhouette, in an important autumn shade
of brown, was of perfect styling and her accessories gave smartness to the
ensemble.
Mrs. Greene was graduated from the Booneville High School and attended
Union University and Ole Miss., where she was a member of the Zeta Tau
Alpha Sorority.
She was much admired for her brunette beauty, her graciousness, and
charm of personality.
Throughout her school and college career she was outstanding in
popularity and scholastic attainment. In addition, travel had added to her
educational opportunities.
She is a member of a leading and influential family of Mississippi being
the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. P.M. Walker and Mr. and Mrs.
J.W. Smith, who were prominent in the social, professional and business life
of this section.
Mr. Greene holds a responsible position with a highway construction
company now located at Ackerman. He is a member of a prominent family,
his grandparents being a well known established family of West Point. He
was a graduate from the Baldwyn High School and attended Sunflower
Junior College at Moorehead.
1910 census
23
Smith, Julian
merchant
Christabel
Marion W.
Gerald
Head M
31
M
5
Ms KY Ms retail
wife F
son
son
31
4
2
F
5
22
Falls, Frank head M
Irma
Mary E.
George
18
drug salesman
MsMsMs
Tommie
Clarence
Evelyn
John
Lewis
Smith, Zoe