. History of the American Negro and his institutions ... edited by Caldwell . n the New York Independent a contribution from her pen. Itis safe to say that in the great effort to enlighten and uplift aneedy people but few. very few, have rendered service moreefficient, more conscientious, and more continuous than she whoselife and character this hasty sketch but inadequately portrays. W. H. CROGMAN. WILLIAM JEFFERSON SMITH THERE is in Campbell and Coweta counties a group ofsuccessful Negro men who are worthy examples to therace. They are a hard-working, home-owning lot andwith their famil
. History of the American Negro and his institutions ... edited by Caldwell . n the New York Independent a contribution from her pen. Itis safe to say that in the great effort to enlighten and uplift aneedy people but few. very few, have rendered service moreefficient, more conscientious, and more continuous than she whoselife and character this hasty sketch but inadequately portrays. W. H. CROGMAN. WILLIAM JEFFERSON SMITH THERE is in Campbell and Coweta counties a group ofsuccessful Negro men who are worthy examples to therace. They are a hard-working, home-owning lot andwith their families are making steady progress in education,in the accumulation of property, and in those things that makefor permanent welfare. Among these stands as a leader Rev. William JeffersonSmith, of Palmetto. He was born in Coweta county just afterthe close of the War, on May 8, 1866. His parents were PeterSmith, a white man, and Jane Smith. His mother, now (1915)an old woman, is still living. Her father was Ranse Edmond-son. William J. Smith attended the local public schools as a boy. WILLIAM JEFFERSON SMITH. 364 HISTORY OF AMERICAN NEGRO but was unable to go to college. He grew up on the farm andlearned to do all sorts of farm work. When he was 23 yearsof age he was married, on Feb. 22, 1889, to Miss Alice Elder, adaughter of Dock and Almeda Elder. They have eight chil-dren : Elnora (Mrs. Cochran), Virleta (Mrs. Talley), Beuna(Mrs. Gray), Beatrice (Mis. Beavers), Cornelia, Luther Jud-son, Fred and Lillie May Smith. Brought up in the M. E. Church young William earlyidentified himself with that body and for 30 years has been anactive member. Feeling called to preach he was licensed, buthas not entered the regular itinerancy. He preaches fre-quently, however, and acts as pastor to fill vacancies. Hepreached at Moreland for a year and is now supplying thechurch at Union City. He is trustee and steward and a Sun-day-school teacher. Next after the Bible his preferred readingis poetry. Aft
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