Reminiscent History of Ozark Region F 551, R284 pg. 56

Bailey Smith, on of the early pioneers of Reynolds County, Missouri, owes his nativity to Tennessee, his birth occurring in Scott County on November 19, 1841. His parents, John and Nancy (Cotton) Smith, were born in that county. His grandfather, Isaac Smith died in that state.

John Smith and his brother Barton came to Reynolds County at an early date, about 1844, and for one year followed farming on Webb Creek. After that John came to Kelley’s Creek and bought the land where his son Isaac Smith is now living. He opened up this farm and by industry and perseverance became the owner of a good farm. He made the trip from Tennessee with ox team a came with quite a company of emigrants, the Cottons, Chitwoods, and others, all of whom settled in this county. Part of the time Mr. Smith sold goods, and he was also a large dealer in stock, continuing the business until his death in 1868. Politically, he was a Democrat, but he took no part in the Civil War. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the most prominent men of the county.

His wife was a daughter of Aaron Cotton, a pioneer and a well known man of the county. She was born in Tennessee, and was there married to Mr. Smith whom she accompanied to Missouri in 1844. Her death occurred in this county in 1882. Ten children were the fruits of this union, six sons an four daughters, as follows: Bailey, subject: Elvira, now deceased, was the wife of A. Barnes; Daniel C., a farmer in Reynolds County; Isaac, a farmer in Kelley Valley; Calvin E. a farmer in Kelley; Franklin, a farmer in Texas; Vetile, who died when thirty years of age, was a man of family; Matilda died when small; Nancy A., wife of Edward Wilkins of Carter County; and one died young. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Our subject was but three years old when brought by his parents to Missouri, all his recollections are of this state. He attended schools of Kelley Valley, and was taught the duties of farm life at an early age. In 1862, he started out to struggle with the stern realities of life for himself, and his first move was to enlist in the Confederate Army, Company C. He served three years under Marmaduke, and was in a number of battles and skirmishes. He was taken prisoner and held three months at Pilot Knob.

After the war he returned to this valley and began his career as a farmer. In 1863 he married Miss Juline L. Reed, a native of Shannon County, MO and the daughter of Dr. Thomas and Mary (Chilton) Reed, who moved to Shannon County at an early day. There Dr. Reed died in 1861 and his wife soon after. Almost immediately after marriage our subject moved to the valley where he now lives and began farming, which occupation he has continued since. He has a tract of 200 acres and as a famer and stock man has met with good success. In politics he is a Democrat and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church. At one time Mr. Smith was Justice of the Peace in Logan Township. Three children have been born to his marriage; Zemri, a young man studying law; Malinda J., wife of J. Wood, a farmer; and Mary, who died when five years old.

History of Southeast MO – Douglass, (Goodspeed) indexed
Contributed #081B -  Linda Pingleton

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Reynolds County, Missouri Genealogy Trails