Jo. Smith was born in Lunenburg County, Va., in 1822, and is one of eight children born to the marriage of James Smith and Nancy Ann DeGraffenreid, who were Virginians. The father was a farmer and a soldier in the war of 1812, and was captured and taken to Quebec. In 1825 he came to Dyer County, Tenn., where he resided until his death in September, 1841. He was one of the very early settlers of the county, and became one of its influential citizens. His wife died July 1, 1835. Our subject received a fair education and at the age of sixteen went to Nashville and began working at the saddler's trade. At the end of three years his father died and he then returned home and purchased seventy-three acres of land and began farming. August 12, 1845, he married Miss Abigail Todd, daughter of Hugh and Narcissa Todd. Mrs. Smith was born in Carroll County, Tenn., in January, 1821, and became the mother of these children: Hugh D., John A., Wady L. and James J. In 1880 Mr. Smith bought 105 acres of land, which he has increased to 240 acres, and there now resides. His wife died in 1878; in 1884 he married Ida McKnight, who was born in Missouri, and is the mother of one child - Annie May. Her parents were Samuel and Anna McKnight. Mr. Smith is one of the highly esteemed citizens of the county, and in politics is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.