Gideon Smith is a native of Franklin county, Indiana, born June 29, 1833, and is a son of Jonathan Smith, of this county, whose biography appears in this book. He came to this county in 1840, with his father and family, and was educated in the common or subscription schools of the county. He has been engaged in farming up to the present time, with the exception of twelve years, during which time he worked at making and burning brick. In May, 1864, he enlisted in the Enrolled State Militia, and served his country in that command until the expiration of his time, when he enlisted in Company F, Forty-third Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1864, and served in that company until the close of the war. He made rails for one dollar per one hundred, for the money with which he entered his first piece of land.
Mr. Smith was married, October 30, 1861, to Miss Mildred Basket, who was born November 10, 1840. They have eight children; namely, Mary A., born December 3, 1862; John F., born February 3, 1864-died; Sarah C., born May 1, 1866; Emma F., born January 22, 1868; Annie B., born July 4, 1870; Laura E., born June 17, 1872; 011ie E., born November 13, 1876; and Florence E., born July 15, 1879.