Smith County TN

Biography of A. K. Oliver

A. K. Oliver, born in 1825 in Smith County, Tennessee, dedicated his life to farming and established a prominent estate in Pike Creek Valley, Missouri. The son of Bluford and Polly Oliver, he experienced limited education but achieved success as a farmer. Married twice, first to Mary Jane and later to Malinda and Margaret, he had numerous children. Oliver became a resident of Oregon County in 1871 and later moved to Carter County, where he became known for his integrity and support for the Democratic Party and Missionary Baptist beliefs.

Biography of Col. Randolph D.Casey

Colonel Randolph D. Casey, born on March 10, 1810, in Smith County, Tennessee, was a significant figure in the founding of Mountain Home, Arkansas, where he built the first house. An educated and accomplished man, he served as Hardeman County’s treasurer and clerk and later as a representative in the State Legislature. A veteran of the Civil War, he faced hardships but became a prosperous businessman. Casey was active in his community, contributing to local education and governance, and was involved in the resettlement of the Cherokee Indians. He was married three times and had several children.

Biography of Capt. Samuel W. Greer

Capt. Samuel W. Greer, born on July 28, 1828, in Rockingham County, North Carolina, was shaped by his parents’ principles of industry, frugality, and honesty. After moving to Missouri in 1859, he became a prominent farmer and mill operator. Greer served in the Confederate Army, attaining the rank of captain. Post-war, he established several mills and farmed 1,001 acres. A Democrat and active in community affairs, he represented Oregon County in the Legislature. He was married to Martha A. Foley and had two surviving children.

Biography of Stephen Birlew

Stephen Birlew, born January 1, 1842, in Smith County, Tennessee, was the second of ten children of John and Wilbrey Birlew. After the family’s move to Missouri in 1853, Stephen enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861, participating in numerous battles until the war’s end in 1865. He later homesteaded land that became part of Winona, Missouri. A lifelong Democrat, he held various local offices and was a member of the Odd Fellows and Farmers Alliance. He married Nancy J. Taylor in 1873, and they had nine children.

Biography of John Hailey

John Hailey, a prominent pioneer and statesman of Idaho, was born on August 29, 1835, in Tennessee. He moved to Idaho in the 1860s, where he built a successful stagecoach and freight business, eventually serving as a delegate to Congress. Hailey played a crucial role in the development of Idaho and was honored with the naming of Hailey, Idaho, after him. A lifelong Democrat, he also engaged in ranching and mining, while raising eight children. Hailey remains a respected figure in Idaho’s history.

Biography of Lodwick Vaden

Lodwick Vaden, born on January 29, 1817, in Smith County, Tennessee, immigrated to Hopkins County, Texas, in 1845. He married Nancy E. Dowdle, with whom he had ten children. Vaden was a lifelong farmer and stock raiser, respected for his character and influence in the community. He witnessed the transformation of Hopkins County from wilderness to settlement and engaged in early farming practices, relying on oxen for transportation. A dedicated member of the Christian Church, Vaden remains active and devoted to his family, including ten great-grandchildren.

Biographical Sketch of Parrish Langford

Parrish Langford, originally from North Carolina, married Sally Lawrence and initially settled in Virginia before moving to Smith County, Tennessee. They had five children: William, Arthur, Jesse, Henry, and Moses. William served in the War of 1812, married Sally King, and settled in Warren County in 1818, fathering a large family. Many of his descendants remained in Warren County, while others migrated to Pike and Lawrence Counties in Missouri, showcasing their enduring legacy in the region.

Biography of Judge Napoleon B. Maxey

Judge Napoleon B. Maxey, born on July 15, 1853, in Tennessee, holds the oldest license to practice law in Oklahoma. A dedicated lawyer specializing in insurance and surety law, he has remained active in his field since moving to Muskogee in 1889. Maxey is known for his meticulous preparation and mentorship of young lawyers. He served briefly in Oklahoma’s House of Representatives and has been actively involved in community welfare. A devoted family man, he enjoyed a fruitful marriage and remains a respected figure in his city.