Dallas County, Arkansas

Page 733
Pleasant H. SMITH, Planter, Ramsey, Ark. On January 16, 1837, there was born to the marriage of Joseph N. & Martha (HOLLEY) SMITH, a son, whom we now take as the subject of this sketch. He was the eldest of the three children born to his fathers first marriage: J.J. SMITH (a farmer of Marion County, GA), and Sarah (who is now in Texas). Pleasant H. SMITH passed his boyhood and youth in Georgia, and in 1850 was married to Miss Elizabeth LINGO, who was born on February 14, 1837, and who is the daughter of J. R. T. LINGO, of Marion County, GA. Four sons and four daughters were born to this marriage, all now residing in this county: Sarah E. (wife of W, J. FAWCETT, a farmer). J.W. (at home), J.N., Ida M., Jennie, Henderson and M. E. In 1860, Mr. SMITH joined Sumter County Artillery, organized at Americus, in which he served until the close of the war. He served in many battles, and although nearly always in the thickest of the fight he escaped without injury. He was in the seven days fight around Richmond, was in the battle of the Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and with Gen. Lee at the surrender. After the war he returned home to Georgia and began farming in Marion County. Two years later he moved to Arkansas, locating in Dallas County, and two years later still moved to his present place of residence. Previous to this, however, he purchased a gin and soon after the war, he had the grit to persevere, and is now the owner of 320 acres of land, with good portion under cultivation. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a deacon in the same. He is a Democrat, politically, and socially is a member of the A.F.&A,M. The parents of our subject were natives of Franklin County, Ga., and the father died in Marion County, of that State in 1875, when about thirty-five years of age. The mother died in Webster County, Ga., on May 4, 1851, and was about thirty-five years of age. They were married in Franklin County, Ga., and in 1846 moved to Benton County, Ala., remaining there but a short time when they moved back to Georgia, settling in Cass County. Later they moved to Webster County, where the mother died, and the father moved to Marion County, where he carried on farming until his death. He was the owner of some valuable property, both in Marion & Webster Counties, and while a resident of Franklin County, Ga., he served several terms as justice of the peace, holding that office when he left the county. After the death our subjects mother he married Miss Patsy ELLIOTT, of Georgia, who died recently in that State. He was an ember of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics was strictly Democratic.