G. W. R. Smith is said to have taken part in the battles of Pea Ridge and Prairie Grove during the Civil War. He served as Reconstruction Officer for Madison County after the Civil War ,he was Madison County Treasurer and Surveyor and served as Madison County Sheriff from 1871-1874. G.W. R was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, as organization formed by veterans of the Union forces who fought in the Civil War.--The military record of Captain GWR Smith, 1st AR Infantry Volunteers:--vol. for Union service at St. Paul, Madison Co., AR, on10/25/1862.--enlisted - March 15, 1863 - at Fayetteville, Washington Co.,AR--discharged August 10, 1865.Capt. GWR SMITH & brother Pete (Simon Peter Lee Smith) were in the battles of Prairie Grove, Backbone Mt., and Camden, all in N. W.Arkansas. In his enlistment papers, he listed his 'comrades 'as :W. W. Robinson, Ben Drake, Fred. Bolinger, David Hooper, Pleasant Seals, & Isaac Keck. He had moved to AR from AL with his family as a boy around 1829 on a 'wagon train', and some time around 1890, he and wife Bethena left NW Arkansas and went to live in Taney Co., Missouri.Though they are both buried at Dickens Cemetery., Hilda, Taney Co., MO, a cenotaph memorial stone was placed for GWR at Capt. Smith Cemetery in 1992.`

From Goad family history book, page 6:
"April 18, 1863, Confederate troops attacked Fayetteville and a sharp 37 battle ensued. Company G of the First Arkansas Infantry was finally ordered off of the field due the fact that they had not yet been issued uniforms and it was feared they would be mistaken for the enemy, but not before their Captain, G. W. R. Smith, had been wounded in the head" (Joy Russell President of Historical Society note: I believe this should read "hand" instead of "head". See pension application following,which states that he lost part of a finger.)---Military record of Captain G. W. R. Smith, Ist Arkansas Infantry Volunteers:+ volunteer for Union service at St. Paul, Madison County,Arkansas, on 10/25/1862 + enlisted March 15, 1863, at Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas + discharged 10 August 1865, at Ft. Smith.

"Captain G. W. R. SMITH, a prominent citizen of Madison Co.,Arkansas, was born in Madison Co., Alabama on January 10,1827, and is a son of Simeon Peter Smith and Mary Ellender "Ellen" Lee-Smith, natives of North Carolina and Virginia,respectively. The Father; Simeon P. Smith went to Alabama when a young man, engaged in farming for a number of years, and in 1829 moved with his family to Arkansas, locating in Polk County.In 1830 he came to Madison County, where he died in 1863. The Mother; Mary Ellender "Ellen" Lee accompanied her parents to Alabama when a child, where she was reared and married. Her death occurred in 1860. They bored 10 children ; William Asbury Green, George Washington Russell "Russ", Lucy Jane, Destemonia "Desty" Andaline Angeline Ann Van Cora, Melissa E., Simon Peter Lee, Frances "Fanny" Caroline, Susan, John, and Robert.Our subject passed his youth on the place where he now lives, and where he has always been engaged in farming and stock raising. He organized Company G, of the First Arkansas Infantry, Federal Army, in 1863, and served as Captain of the same until the close of the war, after which he again devoted his attention to farming. He was one of the reconstruction officers after the war for three years. He is a public -spirited man, and was elected sheriff, holding that office four years.In 1850, he wedded Mary Ann Stotts, daughter of H. Stotts, who bore him one child, which is now deceased. Mrs. Smith also died and in 1863 he was married a second time, Bethesda Bollinger becoming his wife. This lady is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She has no children. Capt.Smith is a member of the G. A. R.---
Excerpt from article "An old Time Revival" ca 1940 by Rev. A. J. Graham;". there was a log school house just a little west of where the school house now stands. It was called the Bolinger School,G. W. R (aka: Russ or Capt. Smith), lived just across the creek on what (later became) the Pharris farm. Smith was the Sheriff of the county and married to Bethesda Bolinger, about the year 1888, (He) mostly out of his own money, built the school house now standing, and it was called Smith's Chapel. Later, a store and post office were established and the place was called "WITTER". Witter, Arkansas-

-From "Taney County Republican" newspaper, January 23, 1908.
Article entitled "Taneyville Eye" by Col. A. S. Prather:
"The death of Capt. Smith cast a gloom over the community, and more especially the old veterans and tho he was full of years and honors, his taking off was a shock to everyone who knew him. He was laid to rest Wednesday the 15th in the beautiful Taney Cemetery. Capt. Smith was one of the first to enlist in Arkansas in the cause of the Union, raising and comanding a Company of the 1 st Arkansas Infantry. He served as sheriff and collector of Madison County in 1874. He came to Taney several years ago and has been honored and
respected citizen. He leaves a wife and several near relatives among them Comrade McKeddy and Charles among the number. The services were suspended awaiting arrival of his nephew, son of Lt. Peter Smith, of Carroll County,Arkansas, and an officer in the same Company and regintent in which the Captain served."-

-DECLARATION FOR INVALID PENSION : State of Arkansas County of Pulaski On this 4th day of February, 1880, before me, the Clerk of Circuit Court in and for the County and State
above named, and by law duly authorized to administer oaths for general purposes,personally appeared George W. R. Smith, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is aged 50 years and is a resident of Grant, Madison County, in the State of Arkansas, and that he is the identical George W. R. Smith who was Captain in Company G, commanded by applicant in the lst Regintent, Arkansas Infantry Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Johnson,
in the war of 1861 and 1862. That he volunteered as above stated near Saint Paul, Madison County, in the State of Arkansas, on or about the 25 day of October, 1862, for the term of 3 years, and was honorably discharged at Fort Smith on the 10 day of August,1865,

(Note from Joy Russell: "Grant" mentioned above was the name of the post office were Witter, Arkansas, is presently located. Grant was the name of that post office from 1877
to 29 January 1898, when the name was changed to "Witter")

That while in said service and in the line of his duty, near Saint Paul, Madison County, in the State of Arkansas, on the Ist day of January, 1863, he received the following wound or disability, to-wit: Gun shot wound through second finger on left hand. That from effect of said wound his said finger was taken off back of second joint. That his disability continues to date consisting of loss of said finger. That since leaving said service this applicant has resident on farm in Madison County,Arkansas, and his occupation has been farming and his post office
address is Grant, Madison County, Arkansas. He makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the Invalid Pension Roll of the United States, under the Act of Congress approved July 14, 1862, and amendments there to, by reason of the disability above stated; and hereby constitutes and appoints Dooley Allenbery of L. R., Ark. his Attorney to prosecute his claim, and procure a Pension Certificate and also to receive from the Pension Office the
certificate of discharge filed here with G. W. R. Smith Sworn to, subscribed and acknowledged before me, the day and year first above named and on the same day personally appeared W. J. and Marcus Black, residents of Little Rock in the State of Ark. and made oath that they are personally acquainted with George W. R Smith who has made and
subscribed to the fore going declaration in their presence, and that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the applicant, and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person here presents himself to be, that they reside as above stated, and are
disinterested in this claim for a Pension. That since leaving the services of the United States as afore said, his habits have been uniformly good, and his occupation has been farming. W. Marcus Black Sworn to and subscribed before me; and I certify that I am not interested in this claim or concerned in its prosecution; that I believe the affiants to be respectable and credible witness and that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be.In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand affixed the seal of said Court, this 4th day of February, A. D., 1880.Thos. W. Newlin, Clerk

---Act of June 27, 1890 Declaration for Invalid Pension State of Arkansas County of Madison On this 12th day of December, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State afore said, Geo W. R Smith aged 62 years, a resident of Grant, County of Madison, State of Arkansas, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Geo W. R Smith who was
enrolled on the 15 day of March 1863, in Co. G First Ark Infty Vols as Captain in the service of the United States in the War of the Rebellion,and served at least ninety days and was honorably discharged at Fort Smith, Ark. on the 10 day of August 1865. That he is wholly unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of injury to left hip and back, rheumatism and loss of middle finger of left hand. That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits
and are to the best of his knowledge and belief of a permanent character .That he has applied for pension under application #344796, claim rejected. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the
Act of June 27, 1890. (rest of application is missing)-

-DECLARATION FOR PENSION, State of Missouri County of Taney On this 18th day of March, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and seven, personally appeared before me, a Notary
Public, within and for the county and State afore said, George W. R. Smith, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 79 years of age, and a resident of Hilda, County of Taney, State of Missouri; and that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Fayetteville,
Arkansas, under the name of George W. R. Smith ,on the 15 day of March, 1863, as a Captain, in 1st Arkansas Infantry, in the service of the United States, in the Civil War,and was honorably discharged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on the 10th day of August, 1865. That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height, 6 feet, --inches;
complexion, fair; color of eyes, gray; color of hair, dark; that his occupation was farmer; that
he was born Madison County, Alabama, 1828. That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: State of Arkansas from 1865 to 1890 and since in
the State of Missouri, Taney County. That he is now a pensioner.That he was here to fore applied for pension No. of Certificate 615,417. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of
February 6, 1907. That his post office address if Hilda, County of Taney, State of Missouri.George w. R. Smith Attest: Dock Casey Benj. L. Griffith Also personally appeared Dock Casey residing in Taney County persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit,and
who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw George w. R. Smith, the claimant, sign his name (or make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the claimant and their acquaintance with him of 7 years and 7 years, respectively, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.Dock Casey Benj. L. Griffith
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th day of March, A. D.,1907, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc. were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words ,erased, and the words added; and that I have no interest, director indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. Benj. L. Griffith, Notary Public Validity accepted: S. A. Cuddy, Chief. Law Division.--

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA..DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU
OF PENSIONS...Reissue under Act of February 6, 1908I No. 615,417 It is hereby certified that in conformity with the laws of the United States, George W. R Smith, who was a Captain, - Co. G.,Regiment, Arkansas Volunteers Infantry, is entitled to a pension at the rate of Twenty dollars per month to commence on the twenty first day of March one thousand nine hundred and seven.Given at the Department of the Interior this fifteenth day of October one thousand
nine hundred and seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and thirty second James Rudolph Garfield, Secretary of the Interior I Countersigned: V. Warner, Commissioner of Pensions.(Former payments covering any portion of the same time to be deducted)

-----LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF GWR SMITH Know all men by these presents that I, G. W. R Smith in the County of Madison and State of Arkansas being of -sound and disposing
mind and memory do make and publish this my last wil land testament hereby revoking all I former wills by me, at anytime here to fore made..Ist: I hereby constitute and appoint my wife Bethina Smith to be the sole Executrix of my last will directing my said Executrix to pay all my
just debts.:and funeral expenses and to retain the property here inafter given out of my estate.2nd: After the payment of my said just debts and funera lexpenses, I give and devise to my wife, Bethena Smith, all money and rights, credits and chases in action held by me at my death or others for me.3rd: I also five and devise unto my wife all personal property of every description owned by me at my deaih, and it is my will that she (my wife) do have all of the above and foregoing mentioned property to herself absolutely and the same to be her absolute property without any reservations to any use.4th: i devise to my said Executrix all my real estate to be hers and under her absolute control for and during her I life, said real estate being described as follows, to-wit: SE 1/4 of the NW1/4, Section 25; SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4, -Section 25; part SE 1/4of the NE 1/4, Section 25 and containing 25 acres --NW 1/4 ofthe SE 1/4, Section 25;SW 1/4 of the SE 1/4, Section 25; and part of NE 1/4 of the SW1/4, Section 25,
containing 34 acres; SE 1/4 of the ISE 1/4,Section 25; NE 1/4 of the NW 1/4, Section 36; NW 1/4 of the NE1/4, Section 36; and the NE 1/4 of the SE1/4 of Section 26; all in Township 15 North, Range 26 West. Andon the decease of my wife, it is my will that my brothers and sisters do have all of the above mentioned land, to them and their heirs respectfully and to share and share alike. 5th: In constituting my wife Executirx of this my last will and testament, it is my desire and my will that she have full and absolute control of all my property as aforesaid as long as she lives and that she have full power to collect and receive all debts of every description due me at my death. That she pay all my debts as aforesaid and in thus I
constituting and appointing her my sole Executrix, it is my will that she settle my estate and that she do so without giving bond as such Executrix.In witness whereof I hereto set my hand and publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in the presence of the witnesses named below, this 1st day of August 1888.-GWR Smith I Signed, published and declared by the said G W R Smith as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request having subscribed our names as Witnesses here to.S. M. Johnson W. H. Bolinger--

-COMMISSION TO PROVE WILL State of Missouri County of Taney The State of Missouri: To any court having a seal or the Judgethereof or Justice of the Peace or any Notary Public,
Mayor, or Chief Magistrate of any city or town, having a seal in the County of Madison, State of Arkansas, Greeting: Know ye that we hereby empower you to cause to come before youat the time and place to be by you appointed, S. M. Johnson and W. H. Bolinger , attesting witnesses to the annexed instrument of writing, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of G.W. R Smith. And to then and there examine them the said S. M. Johnson and W. H. Bolinger on oath touching their knowledge of the execution of said instrument and of the condition of the mind of the said G. W. R Smith at the time of the execution and publication of
the same as his last Will and Testament.The examination thus taken you will reduce to writing and cause the same to be subscribed and sworn to by the said S. M. Johnsonand W. H. Bolinger and therefore you shall certify the same under your hand to Jno T. Dickinson, Judge of our Probate Court of said county. In Witness whereof I Jno T. Dickerson, Judge of said Probate Court have here unto set my name and affixed the seal of said court at Forsyth, Mo. on this 25th day of July,1908. Jno T. Dickerson, Judge

--PROOF OF WILL STATE OF ARKANSAS COUNTY OF MADISON Be it remembered that on the 29th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eight, before me, Lem Kendall, Clerk of the County Court, held in and for Madison County and State of Arkansas, personally appeared, S. M. Johnsonand W. H. Bollinger, who being duly sworn upon their oath depose and say that they were present and saw G. W. R Smith sign the fore going instrument of date August I, 1888, purporting to bethe Last Will and Testament of him
the said G. W. R Smith andheard him publish and declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament and that at the time of signing the same the said G.W. R Smith was of sound and
disposing mind and that these defendents the attesting witnesses subscribed their names there to as witnesses to the same in the presence of theTestator, and of each other, and at the request of the said Testator who was more than 21 years of age at the date of so declaring and signing said instrument. Sworn to and subscribed before me Lem Kendall, Clerk of the County Court, Madison County, Ark., the day and year first aforesaid. Lem Kendall S.M.
Johnson W. H. Bolinger County Clerk---

-LETTERS TESTAMENTARY COUNTY OF TANEY STATE OF MISSOURI The State of Missouri, To all persons to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Know ye that the Last Will of G. W. R Smith, deceased, hath in due form of law been exhibited, proved and recorded, a coy of which is here to annexed; and in as much as it appears that Bethena Smith, has been
appointed Executrixin and by the said last Will to execute the same, and to the end that the property of the Testator may be perserved for those who shall appear to have a legal right or interest therein and that the said last Will may be executed according to the request of the Testator, we do hereby authorize her the said Bethena Smith as such Executrix to collect and secure all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits which were of the said G.W.R. Smith at the time of his death in whosoever possession, the same may be found and to
perform and fulfill all such duties as may be enspired upon her by said Will so far as there shall be property and the law charges her and in general to do and perform all other things which now or hereafter may be required of her by law. In testamony where of John T. Dickerson, Judge of the Probate Court in and for said County of Taney, have here unto signed my name and affixed the seal of said Court at office this lOth day of August, A. D. 1908.Jno T.
Dickerson, Judge of said Court----

---OATH STATE OF MISSOURI COUNTY OF TANEY The undersigned Bethena Smith, Executrix of the last Will and Testament of G. W. R Smith, deceased, late of Taney County,Missouri, personally appeared before me the Judge of the Probate Court in and for Taney County, State of Missouri and being duly sworn by me upon oath says that she will make a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods and chatels, lands and rights and credits of said Testator, according to law, and will well and truly execute or administer the last Will and Testament of the said Testator by paying first his debts and then the legacies contained in last Will and Testament, as far as the assets of the said Testator will extend and the law direct,under just accounts and faithfully perform all things required by law touching such Executorship or administration. Sworn to and subscribed before me at Forsyth, this 1oth day of August A.D. 1908. Jno T. Dickinson, Judge of Probate Court Bethena Smith