Notice of February 27, 2022: I have requested and received management of this memorial from findagrave. This memorial was originally created with John's place of birth shown as Mount Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky. An article written in 1905 by John's grandson, Carlisle A. Smith, stated that John was born in the state of Virginia. This agrees with John's birth place in the 1860 and 1870 Census records for Liberty, Jefferson County, Iowa, and I have changed John's birth place to Virginia.
Following is a transcription of the parts of Carlisle's biographical sketch that included information on John Jackman Smith. The full transcription may be read on Carlisle's findagrave memorial. This newspaper article is in the public domain and may also be read online:
Article From The Fairfield Tribune, Thursday, December 23, 1909, Page 16, Columns 5 & 6:
JOHN JACKMAN SMITH
Short Biography of an Early Pioneer of Jefferson County.
John Jackman Smith, born in the state of Virginia, 1780, emigrated to near Lexington, Ky., when 10 years of age. In 1803 he engaged to accompany the Lewis and Clarke expedition on that historic exploration and adventure trip up the Missouri river and westward to the Pacific. Owing to an attack of severe sickness, he was compelled to give up the undertaking and as long as he afterwards lived he never ceased to contribute his part to the chronicles of the wonderful journey.
In 1815 this Smith family emigrated to Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Rachel Alkier. They continued to reside in Ohio until the spring of 1837 when they journeyed to Wisconsin territory, now the state of Iowa. They made the trip by ox teams and settled in now Jefferson county, built a cabin on the south bank of Cedar Creek in Liberty township, residing there three years, then he built a larger house in the same locality, on land now owned by the heirs of John Bishop. In 1865, the Smiths again moved a short distance to another farm within one mile of where he first settled, until he died in November, 1873, aged 93 years. [sic-John's gravestone gives his death date as October 18, 1873. This appears to be correct, as John's estate was entered into probate in Jefferson County on October 20, and it gave his date of death as October 18, 1873.]
Jefferson County Organizer.
When Jefferson county was organized, Mr. Smith, at the first election, was elected county commissioner along with Daniel Sears and B.F. Chastin and under direction of this board the first survey of 25 blocks was made for the city of Fairfield, the county seat. This was in 1839. It is a matter of record that these commissioners followed up the surveyor and the chain man and drove the stakes at lot corners. Mr. Smith was a man of considerable money, even in those days. He purchased f the government over 5,000 acres of land in Jefferson county and loaned much money to other investors, but he never owned a lot in Fairfield. He made a crossing south of Fairfield, Cedar Creek, that was long known as "Smith's Ford," now "Smith's Bridge."-----
In the early days of John Jackman Smith, the pioneer, he entertained many notables. It was not uncommon for such personages as Blackhawk and Wapello to Call at his house. He was their true friend and would often give things at a sacrifice to them and they in turn would bring him wild game, such as turkeys, deer, etc. One character was Phillip Hawk, of whose history no one ever discovered very much. He would never go to bed, but would lie down on the floor, using for a pillow a small bundle, the contents of which was a well kept secret. There are still some old settlers in Jefferson county who remember Phillip Hawk.
Biographical.
John Jackman Smith raised four sons and four daughetrs [sic]. He gave to each one three hundred acres of land. The farm that Jefferson county now owns is the farm given to Elias Smith, father of the writer, and here Elias raised his family of five sons and two daughters. And here the mother, bless her memory, died in the year 1847. At this time the writer was five years old and a younger sister now Sarah Dunning, of Ottumwa, was born there. Also Marion, now of Kirkville was born there in 1840, and Edward James, now a resident of Caldwell, Idaho, was born there in 1837. Edward claims the distinction of being the oldest man born in Iowa and going from Iowa in the war of the rebellion.
There are none of John Jackman Smith's children how living, but there are over thirty grandsons and many granddaughters yet living, and many great grandchildren, a number of great great grandchildren and some great great great grandchildren. His oldest son, Elijah Smith, and three [sic] daughters, Susianah [sic] Davis and Rachel Jerrell, crossed the great American desert to Oregon in 1852 with ox teams and were seven months on the journey. None of them ever returned to Iowa.
John Jackman Smith was a large, portly man, weighing nearly three hundred pounds. He was a well posted man on general subjects, and was considered a man of good judgment, and at one time served as a justice of the peace, continuously for over twenty years. He was kind to all and was always willing to help anyone in need. He was a member of the Masonic order and stood high in the councils of that society.
CARLISLE A. SMITH
Agency, Iowa, R.F.D. No. 2,
Grandson of John Jackman Smith, an Iowa pioneer.
The information under this line was all on this memorial when I took over management
---------------
Father John Sr b 1720 England d near Lexington KY
Mother Elizabeth Stewart b VA m VA 1773 moved near Lexington Ky 1790
He practiced medicine as he knew it and then became known as Dr. Smith. He was opposed to slavery although he owned 200 slaves that he inherited from his father. He freed them by way of the underground rail road. He knew and hosted Chief Blackhawk and Chief Wapello. He was also county commissioner.
Property; acres section township
1846-7 400 27-34-35 Polk
1847 427 2-4-10 Locust Grove
1847 80 13 Liberty
of John Jackman Smith and Rachel Alkire;
1 William 4/15/1806 10/17/1806
2 Elija 8/18/1808
moved to Oregon 1852
3 Elias 1/8/1810 8/27/1892
s Elizabeth Busick
4 Lydia Sullivan 3/5/1811 5/23/18
5 Rebecca 10/15/1812 11/27/1912
6 Carlisle 10/13/1813 1/16/1875
7 John 8/25/1915 9/11/1822
8 Susanna Davis 3/17/1817
went to Oregon with Elija
9 Hiram 5/2/1819 5/2/1890
10 Lucinda 3/18/1821 8/13/1822
11 Eliza 9/25/1823
12 Rachel Fitzgerald 10/28/1825 1/9/1902
went to OR with Elija
with Sarah Riddle;
13 Elizabeth 1827
14 David 1832
children not mentioned in the 1876 will
William 4/15/1806
Rebecca 10/15/12
John 8/25/13
Susanna 3/17/17
Lucinda 3/18/21
David 1832
Following is a transcription of the parts of Carlisle's biographical sketch that included information on John Jackman Smith. The full transcription may be read on Carlisle's findagrave memorial. This newspaper article is in the public domain and may also be read online:
Article From The Fairfield Tribune, Thursday, December 23, 1909, Page 16, Columns 5 & 6:
JOHN JACKMAN SMITH
Short Biography of an Early Pioneer of Jefferson County.
John Jackman Smith, born in the state of Virginia, 1780, emigrated to near Lexington, Ky., when 10 years of age. In 1803 he engaged to accompany the Lewis and Clarke expedition on that historic exploration and adventure trip up the Missouri river and westward to the Pacific. Owing to an attack of severe sickness, he was compelled to give up the undertaking and as long as he afterwards lived he never ceased to contribute his part to the chronicles of the wonderful journey.
In 1815 this Smith family emigrated to Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Rachel Alkier. They continued to reside in Ohio until the spring of 1837 when they journeyed to Wisconsin territory, now the state of Iowa. They made the trip by ox teams and settled in now Jefferson county, built a cabin on the south bank of Cedar Creek in Liberty township, residing there three years, then he built a larger house in the same locality, on land now owned by the heirs of John Bishop. In 1865, the Smiths again moved a short distance to another farm within one mile of where he first settled, until he died in November, 1873, aged 93 years. [sic-John's gravestone gives his death date as October 18, 1873. This appears to be correct, as John's estate was entered into probate in Jefferson County on October 20, and it gave his date of death as October 18, 1873.]
Jefferson County Organizer.
When Jefferson county was organized, Mr. Smith, at the first election, was elected county commissioner along with Daniel Sears and B.F. Chastin and under direction of this board the first survey of 25 blocks was made for the city of Fairfield, the county seat. This was in 1839. It is a matter of record that these commissioners followed up the surveyor and the chain man and drove the stakes at lot corners. Mr. Smith was a man of considerable money, even in those days. He purchased f the government over 5,000 acres of land in Jefferson county and loaned much money to other investors, but he never owned a lot in Fairfield. He made a crossing south of Fairfield, Cedar Creek, that was long known as "Smith's Ford," now "Smith's Bridge."-----
In the early days of John Jackman Smith, the pioneer, he entertained many notables. It was not uncommon for such personages as Blackhawk and Wapello to Call at his house. He was their true friend and would often give things at a sacrifice to them and they in turn would bring him wild game, such as turkeys, deer, etc. One character was Phillip Hawk, of whose history no one ever discovered very much. He would never go to bed, but would lie down on the floor, using for a pillow a small bundle, the contents of which was a well kept secret. There are still some old settlers in Jefferson county who remember Phillip Hawk.
Biographical.
John Jackman Smith raised four sons and four daughetrs [sic]. He gave to each one three hundred acres of land. The farm that Jefferson county now owns is the farm given to Elias Smith, father of the writer, and here Elias raised his family of five sons and two daughters. And here the mother, bless her memory, died in the year 1847. At this time the writer was five years old and a younger sister now Sarah Dunning, of Ottumwa, was born there. Also Marion, now of Kirkville was born there in 1840, and Edward James, now a resident of Caldwell, Idaho, was born there in 1837. Edward claims the distinction of being the oldest man born in Iowa and going from Iowa in the war of the rebellion.
There are none of John Jackman Smith's children how living, but there are over thirty grandsons and many granddaughters yet living, and many great grandchildren, a number of great great grandchildren and some great great great grandchildren. His oldest son, Elijah Smith, and three [sic] daughters, Susianah [sic] Davis and Rachel Jerrell, crossed the great American desert to Oregon in 1852 with ox teams and were seven months on the journey. None of them ever returned to Iowa.
John Jackman Smith was a large, portly man, weighing nearly three hundred pounds. He was a well posted man on general subjects, and was considered a man of good judgment, and at one time served as a justice of the peace, continuously for over twenty years. He was kind to all and was always willing to help anyone in need. He was a member of the Masonic order and stood high in the councils of that society.
CARLISLE A. SMITH
Agency, Iowa, R.F.D. No. 2,
Grandson of John Jackman Smith, an Iowa pioneer.
The information under this line was all on this memorial when I took over management
---------------
Father John Sr b 1720 England d near Lexington KY
Mother Elizabeth Stewart b VA m VA 1773 moved near Lexington Ky 1790
He practiced medicine as he knew it and then became known as Dr. Smith. He was opposed to slavery although he owned 200 slaves that he inherited from his father. He freed them by way of the underground rail road. He knew and hosted Chief Blackhawk and Chief Wapello. He was also county commissioner.
Property; acres section township
1846-7 400 27-34-35 Polk
1847 427 2-4-10 Locust Grove
1847 80 13 Liberty
of John Jackman Smith and Rachel Alkire;
1 William 4/15/1806 10/17/1806
2 Elija 8/18/1808
moved to Oregon 1852
3 Elias 1/8/1810 8/27/1892
s Elizabeth Busick
4 Lydia Sullivan 3/5/1811 5/23/18
5 Rebecca 10/15/1812 11/27/1912
6 Carlisle 10/13/1813 1/16/1875
7 John 8/25/1915 9/11/1822
8 Susanna Davis 3/17/1817
went to Oregon with Elija
9 Hiram 5/2/1819 5/2/1890
10 Lucinda 3/18/1821 8/13/1822
11 Eliza 9/25/1823
12 Rachel Fitzgerald 10/28/1825 1/9/1902
went to OR with Elija
with Sarah Riddle;
13 Elizabeth 1827
14 David 1832
children not mentioned in the 1876 will
William 4/15/1806
Rebecca 10/15/12
John 8/25/13
Susanna 3/17/17
Lucinda 3/18/21
David 1832
Notice of February 27, 2022: I have requested and received management of this memorial from findagrave. This memorial was originally created with John's place of birth shown as Mount Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky. An article written in 1905 by John's grandson, Carlisle A. Smith, stated that John was born in the state of Virginia. This agrees with John's birth place in the 1860 and 1870 Census records for Liberty, Jefferson County, Iowa, and I have changed John's birth place to Virginia.
Following is a transcription of the parts of Carlisle's biographical sketch that included information on John Jackman Smith. The full transcription may be read on Carlisle's findagrave memorial. This newspaper article is in the public domain and may also be read online:
Article From The Fairfield Tribune, Thursday, December 23, 1909, Page 16, Columns 5 & 6:
JOHN JACKMAN SMITH
Short Biography of an Early Pioneer of Jefferson County.
John Jackman Smith, born in the state of Virginia, 1780, emigrated to near Lexington, Ky., when 10 years of age. In 1803 he engaged to accompany the Lewis and Clarke expedition on that historic exploration and adventure trip up the Missouri river and westward to the Pacific. Owing to an attack of severe sickness, he was compelled to give up the undertaking and as long as he afterwards lived he never ceased to contribute his part to the chronicles of the wonderful journey.
In 1815 this Smith family emigrated to Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Rachel Alkier. They continued to reside in Ohio until the spring of 1837 when they journeyed to Wisconsin territory, now the state of Iowa. They made the trip by ox teams and settled in now Jefferson county, built a cabin on the south bank of Cedar Creek in Liberty township, residing there three years, then he built a larger house in the same locality, on land now owned by the heirs of John Bishop. In 1865, the Smiths again moved a short distance to another farm within one mile of where he first settled, until he died in November, 1873, aged 93 years. [sic-John's gravestone gives his death date as October 18, 1873. This appears to be correct, as John's estate was entered into probate in Jefferson County on October 20, and it gave his date of death as October 18, 1873.]
Jefferson County Organizer.
When Jefferson county was organized, Mr. Smith, at the first election, was elected county commissioner along with Daniel Sears and B.F. Chastin and under direction of this board the first survey of 25 blocks was made for the city of Fairfield, the county seat. This was in 1839. It is a matter of record that these commissioners followed up the surveyor and the chain man and drove the stakes at lot corners. Mr. Smith was a man of considerable money, even in those days. He purchased f the government over 5,000 acres of land in Jefferson county and loaned much money to other investors, but he never owned a lot in Fairfield. He made a crossing south of Fairfield, Cedar Creek, that was long known as "Smith's Ford," now "Smith's Bridge."-----
In the early days of John Jackman Smith, the pioneer, he entertained many notables. It was not uncommon for such personages as Blackhawk and Wapello to Call at his house. He was their true friend and would often give things at a sacrifice to them and they in turn would bring him wild game, such as turkeys, deer, etc. One character was Phillip Hawk, of whose history no one ever discovered very much. He would never go to bed, but would lie down on the floor, using for a pillow a small bundle, the contents of which was a well kept secret. There are still some old settlers in Jefferson county who remember Phillip Hawk.
Biographical.
John Jackman Smith raised four sons and four daughetrs [sic]. He gave to each one three hundred acres of land. The farm that Jefferson county now owns is the farm given to Elias Smith, father of the writer, and here Elias raised his family of five sons and two daughters. And here the mother, bless her memory, died in the year 1847. At this time the writer was five years old and a younger sister now Sarah Dunning, of Ottumwa, was born there. Also Marion, now of Kirkville was born there in 1840, and Edward James, now a resident of Caldwell, Idaho, was born there in 1837. Edward claims the distinction of being the oldest man born in Iowa and going from Iowa in the war of the rebellion.
There are none of John Jackman Smith's children how living, but there are over thirty grandsons and many granddaughters yet living, and many great grandchildren, a number of great great grandchildren and some great great great grandchildren. His oldest son, Elijah Smith, and three [sic] daughters, Susianah [sic] Davis and Rachel Jerrell, crossed the great American desert to Oregon in 1852 with ox teams and were seven months on the journey. None of them ever returned to Iowa.
John Jackman Smith was a large, portly man, weighing nearly three hundred pounds. He was a well posted man on general subjects, and was considered a man of good judgment, and at one time served as a justice of the peace, continuously for over twenty years. He was kind to all and was always willing to help anyone in need. He was a member of the Masonic order and stood high in the councils of that society.
CARLISLE A. SMITH
Agency, Iowa, R.F.D. No. 2,
Grandson of John Jackman Smith, an Iowa pioneer.
The information under this line was all on this memorial when I took over management
---------------
Father John Sr b 1720 England d near Lexington KY
Mother Elizabeth Stewart b VA m VA 1773 moved near Lexington Ky 1790
He practiced medicine as he knew it and then became known as Dr. Smith. He was opposed to slavery although he owned 200 slaves that he inherited from his father. He freed them by way of the underground rail road. He knew and hosted Chief Blackhawk and Chief Wapello. He was also county commissioner.
Property; acres section township
1846-7 400 27-34-35 Polk
1847 427 2-4-10 Locust Grove
1847 80 13 Liberty
of John Jackman Smith and Rachel Alkire;
1 William 4/15/1806 10/17/1806
2 Elija 8/18/1808
moved to Oregon 1852
3 Elias 1/8/1810 8/27/1892
s Elizabeth Busick
4 Lydia Sullivan 3/5/1811 5/23/18
5 Rebecca 10/15/1812 11/27/1912
6 Carlisle 10/13/1813 1/16/1875
7 John 8/25/1915 9/11/1822
8 Susanna Davis 3/17/1817
went to Oregon with Elija
9 Hiram 5/2/1819 5/2/1890
10 Lucinda 3/18/1821 8/13/1822
11 Eliza 9/25/1823
12 Rachel Fitzgerald 10/28/1825 1/9/1902
went to OR with Elija
with Sarah Riddle;
13 Elizabeth 1827
14 David 1832
children not mentioned in the 1876 will
William 4/15/1806
Rebecca 10/15/12
John 8/25/13
Susanna 3/17/17
Lucinda 3/18/21
David 1832
Following is a transcription of the parts of Carlisle's biographical sketch that included information on John Jackman Smith. The full transcription may be read on Carlisle's findagrave memorial. This newspaper article is in the public domain and may also be read online:
Article From The Fairfield Tribune, Thursday, December 23, 1909, Page 16, Columns 5 & 6:
JOHN JACKMAN SMITH
Short Biography of an Early Pioneer of Jefferson County.
John Jackman Smith, born in the state of Virginia, 1780, emigrated to near Lexington, Ky., when 10 years of age. In 1803 he engaged to accompany the Lewis and Clarke expedition on that historic exploration and adventure trip up the Missouri river and westward to the Pacific. Owing to an attack of severe sickness, he was compelled to give up the undertaking and as long as he afterwards lived he never ceased to contribute his part to the chronicles of the wonderful journey.
In 1815 this Smith family emigrated to Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Rachel Alkier. They continued to reside in Ohio until the spring of 1837 when they journeyed to Wisconsin territory, now the state of Iowa. They made the trip by ox teams and settled in now Jefferson county, built a cabin on the south bank of Cedar Creek in Liberty township, residing there three years, then he built a larger house in the same locality, on land now owned by the heirs of John Bishop. In 1865, the Smiths again moved a short distance to another farm within one mile of where he first settled, until he died in November, 1873, aged 93 years. [sic-John's gravestone gives his death date as October 18, 1873. This appears to be correct, as John's estate was entered into probate in Jefferson County on October 20, and it gave his date of death as October 18, 1873.]
Jefferson County Organizer.
When Jefferson county was organized, Mr. Smith, at the first election, was elected county commissioner along with Daniel Sears and B.F. Chastin and under direction of this board the first survey of 25 blocks was made for the city of Fairfield, the county seat. This was in 1839. It is a matter of record that these commissioners followed up the surveyor and the chain man and drove the stakes at lot corners. Mr. Smith was a man of considerable money, even in those days. He purchased f the government over 5,000 acres of land in Jefferson county and loaned much money to other investors, but he never owned a lot in Fairfield. He made a crossing south of Fairfield, Cedar Creek, that was long known as "Smith's Ford," now "Smith's Bridge."-----
In the early days of John Jackman Smith, the pioneer, he entertained many notables. It was not uncommon for such personages as Blackhawk and Wapello to Call at his house. He was their true friend and would often give things at a sacrifice to them and they in turn would bring him wild game, such as turkeys, deer, etc. One character was Phillip Hawk, of whose history no one ever discovered very much. He would never go to bed, but would lie down on the floor, using for a pillow a small bundle, the contents of which was a well kept secret. There are still some old settlers in Jefferson county who remember Phillip Hawk.
Biographical.
John Jackman Smith raised four sons and four daughetrs [sic]. He gave to each one three hundred acres of land. The farm that Jefferson county now owns is the farm given to Elias Smith, father of the writer, and here Elias raised his family of five sons and two daughters. And here the mother, bless her memory, died in the year 1847. At this time the writer was five years old and a younger sister now Sarah Dunning, of Ottumwa, was born there. Also Marion, now of Kirkville was born there in 1840, and Edward James, now a resident of Caldwell, Idaho, was born there in 1837. Edward claims the distinction of being the oldest man born in Iowa and going from Iowa in the war of the rebellion.
There are none of John Jackman Smith's children how living, but there are over thirty grandsons and many granddaughters yet living, and many great grandchildren, a number of great great grandchildren and some great great great grandchildren. His oldest son, Elijah Smith, and three [sic] daughters, Susianah [sic] Davis and Rachel Jerrell, crossed the great American desert to Oregon in 1852 with ox teams and were seven months on the journey. None of them ever returned to Iowa.
John Jackman Smith was a large, portly man, weighing nearly three hundred pounds. He was a well posted man on general subjects, and was considered a man of good judgment, and at one time served as a justice of the peace, continuously for over twenty years. He was kind to all and was always willing to help anyone in need. He was a member of the Masonic order and stood high in the councils of that society.
CARLISLE A. SMITH
Agency, Iowa, R.F.D. No. 2,
Grandson of John Jackman Smith, an Iowa pioneer.
The information under this line was all on this memorial when I took over management
---------------
Father John Sr b 1720 England d near Lexington KY
Mother Elizabeth Stewart b VA m VA 1773 moved near Lexington Ky 1790
He practiced medicine as he knew it and then became known as Dr. Smith. He was opposed to slavery although he owned 200 slaves that he inherited from his father. He freed them by way of the underground rail road. He knew and hosted Chief Blackhawk and Chief Wapello. He was also county commissioner.
Property; acres section township
1846-7 400 27-34-35 Polk
1847 427 2-4-10 Locust Grove
1847 80 13 Liberty
of John Jackman Smith and Rachel Alkire;
1 William 4/15/1806 10/17/1806
2 Elija 8/18/1808
moved to Oregon 1852
3 Elias 1/8/1810 8/27/1892
s Elizabeth Busick
4 Lydia Sullivan 3/5/1811 5/23/18
5 Rebecca 10/15/1812 11/27/1912
6 Carlisle 10/13/1813 1/16/1875
7 John 8/25/1915 9/11/1822
8 Susanna Davis 3/17/1817
went to Oregon with Elija
9 Hiram 5/2/1819 5/2/1890
10 Lucinda 3/18/1821 8/13/1822
11 Eliza 9/25/1823
12 Rachel Fitzgerald 10/28/1825 1/9/1902
went to OR with Elija
with Sarah Riddle;
13 Elizabeth 1827
14 David 1832
children not mentioned in the 1876 will
William 4/15/1806
Rebecca 10/15/12
John 8/25/13
Susanna 3/17/17
Lucinda 3/18/21
David 1832
Family Members
Parents
Spouse
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