Dallas County, Arkansas

Page 733-34
Judge Samuel H. SMITH, probate and county judge of Dallas County, Ark., is conceded to be one of the leading spirits of Dallas County, and is a man of sound practical judgment. He is a native-born resident of the county, his birth occurring August 28, 1850, and is the son of Benjamin M. & Annie W. (SMITH) SMITH, natives of North Carolina. Both parents died in this county, the father in 1877, when about fifty-five years of age, and the mother in 1871, at the age of forty-one years. They were married in Dallas County, and passed the remainder of their days, the father being engaged in tilling the soil. He was a large slave-holder prior to the late Civil War. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he was the ruling elder in the same. After his wife's death Mr. SMITH married Annie W, SMITH, who is also deceased. By the first marriage were born thirteen children, and one by the last union. Of the former, eleven are now living, and Judge Samuel H. SMITH is the eldest in order of birth. He received a liberal education in Dallas County, and remained with his father until twenty-six years of age, when he commenced for himself as a farmer. He is the owner of some excellent land and cultivates ninety acres . In 1877 he was elected justice of the peace, and discharged the duties incumbent upon this office in a satisfactory manner for ten years. In 1888 he was elected county and probate judge, and filled this position in such a manner as to give assurance to honorable people that they had the right man in the right place. In 1877 he married Miss Cornelia LANGLEY, daughter of Dr. William B. LANGLEY, of Texas, and this union has been blessed by the birth of five living children, viz.: Cornelia Ann, Virginia, Henry, Mary A., William S. and Lennie L, Those deceased were Presley O., Annie W. and an infant. Judge SMITH is a stanch Democrat in his political views, and is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.