John W. Smelser was born about 1828 in Kentucky, the son of Abraham and Nancy (Thompson) Smelser. John moved with his family to Greene County, Arkansas in 1836. He married Nancy Clark, daughter of John Sr. and Martha (Hunter) Clark, in Greene County, about 1848. By 1850, John and Nancy had one child, William, born 1849 in Arkansas. 1850 Greene Co., AR, St. Francis Twp., #394 #425 Smelser, John W 23 m KY Nancy 23 f TN William 1/12 m AR John is listed as buying land in Greene County in 1859. Greene Co., AR Land Records Smelser, John W., Section 26, Township 17N, Range 4E, 1859/12/10 Jim Smelser wrote, "John W. was a prominent farmer and merchant at Crowley Village. He was also a Justice of the Peace. According to the 'Greene County Historical Quarterly', Esquire John W. "filled the office of Justice of the Peace for half a generation and made a good officer, as he did in every relation of life..."(Crowley, Vol. 3, p 23). His decisions made as Justice of the Peace were always fair and just. John and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. John would attend church meetings regularly. He and his family would often take a wagon and pick up friends and neighbors along the way. (Crowley, Vol 3, p 23)." By 1860, John and Nancy had added three children, J. Abraham born 1851, Joseph Pink born 1858, and Sarah Ann born 1859. 1860 Greene Co., AR, St. Francis Twp. #423 #222 #216 Smelser, J.W. 32 m farmer $600 $760 KY Nancy 32 f hk TN W.H. 10 m AR J.A. 9 m AR Joseph P. 2 m AR Sarah A. 4/12 f AR 1870 Greene Co., AR Cache Twp. Crowley P.O. 6 July 1870 #31 Smelser, John W. 42 m w $2000 $1000 KY Nancey 42 f w TN Wm H. 20 m w AR John A. 19 m w AR Joseph P. 12 m w AR Sarah A. 10 f w AR Benj F. 7 m w AR Gregory, S.S. 23 m w farmer AR Crow, Francis 26 f w AR 1880 Greene Co., AR Cache Twp., Crowley P.O. #150 #158 4 Jun 1880 Smelser, Jno W m 52 hh KY KY TN Nancy f 52 wf TN SC TN Joseph m 21 s AR KY TN Margaret f 22 d-i-l AR TN TN Benjamin m 19 nephew AR KY TN John W. Jr.m 1 nephew AR AR AR Smith, Adeline f 31 sis AR KY TN James m 13 nephew AR GA AR Nancy f 8 niece AR GA AR "The 1900 census showed John W. and Nancy lived in Randolph County with their son Joseph and his wife, Annie," according to the writings of Jim Smelser. "John A. and John W., Jr. lived nearby. According to Randolph County records, these Smelsers bought and sold several parcels of property and timber during the next several years. "John W. died 8 Jan 1908 and was buried in Clearview Cemetery near Five Mile Springs (Lorine). His son, William Henry, died 15 February, 1911, and was buried beside his father. John W.'s epitaph reads:Remember friends as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I, As I am now, you soon must be, Prepare for death and follow me."
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