Richard Grimes SMITH

                   Family record of Samuel H.Smith of the Ozarks.book by Alta  Alldredge Dayton.
Born in a Hunter's camp on the currant River, in Shannon Co. Missouri .  His weight was about two and one half pounds.  A teacup was put over his head and only the tips of his ears ears were out.  When three months old his parents took up a claim and moved to Thomasville,Oregon Cl. Missouri on the Elevenpoints River.  He spent his boyhood days in Oregon Co. which included all the territory in Oregon,Howell,Shannon and Carter Counties.  Dick as he was called,hunted, fished, tilled the soil and did all kinds of farm work.  The Ciivil War started,he felt the urge to do his part so he walked from Thomasville to Rolla M.  It took ten days to make the trip.he would sleep in the woods in the daytime and walk durint the night.  He enlisted in Co. A 12th Missouri Calvary, in the Union Army.  He took part in twenty eight battles and skirmishes.  He was mustered out at fort Riley Kansas, and returned to Howell co. 17th April 1866/After marrying he took up a homestead at Mountain View Mo.  Here they lived for fifteen years then moved to a farm two and one half miles northeast of West Plains Mo.  The family remained here for twenty two years.  He was a contractor and a very good carpenter.  He was active in all public matters and held many civic positions.  He was an active politician,always contending vigorously for what he thought was right.  He wa an enterprising, fearless pioneer, and made valuable contribution to the settlement and growth of west Plains and Howell co. mo.
His sense of humor was tremendous, and his ability to remember stories and incidents was uncanny.  His descendants now tell of the many tricks and practical jokes he played on them and others of the community.  He had his own casket made of native walnut lumber and kept it in the upstairs room of his home, together with all his burial clothes.  He showed them often to many folks, for he seemed to  have no fear of death because of his absolute faith in going to meet his reward and his God and he was unafraid.  He passed away at his Mountain View Home on 10 Jan. 1931 and was buried at the Barnett Cem. where the headstone he had made himself marks his final resting place, beside his beloved wife Nancy Caroline Taylor.
1880 U.S. Census Howell, Howell, Missouri Family History Library Film 1254691  NA Film Number T9-0691.  Page Number 454D