SMITH:
The part of Harper District, between Wolfe Creek and Higly, and not far from the farm of the Prices just mentioned, is the last home of the Reverend John H. Smith, and where he and his, through many years commencing on his return from service as a Union soldier of the Civil War, conquered the wild forest and made the farm-home on which grew up some sons and daughters, destined to continue community and public service.

Rev. John H. Smith was born in Russell County, Virginia, October 22, 1837, married Letta J. Rhodes. daughter of ____________ on Christmas day, 1860. The children of Rev. John H. and Letta J. Smith whose names and dates of births we can give here, are Benjamin A., June 15, 1867, now physician and surgeon of City of Spencer, mentioned in the chapter on "History of Spencer," was a delegate for this county in the twenty-eighth session of the State Legislature, year 1909. Dr. Benjamin A. Smith married Mrs. Foglesong of Sissonsville or lower Poca, who is yet with him. Rev. John H. Smith, on death of Letta, March 3, 1875, united in marriage with Victoria J. Hackney, daughter of Archibold Hackney, born in Scott County, Virginia, at time of Letta’s marriage, an old settler of the country about the head of Higly, is also the father of the Reverend James Hackney, a graduate of a Baptist theological school of Louisville, Kentucky, and of the Reverend Joshua Hackney of the same church and same theological school. The only child of Rev. John H. Smith and Victoria J., his second wife, whom we can name here, is Dr. Arthur Archibold Smith, a graduate of a Chicago medical school. He, while quite young, married Carrie, the daughter of Wesley Lynch, an old settler of Trace Fork. Dr. Archibold A. Smith is now practicing his profession in Boone County; and is the popular general medical man for one of the big coal companies of that part of the State.


Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927 William H. Bishop, Esq. pp 658-659.