SMITH, Joseph (son of Joseph Smith who was instrumental in organizing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at Fay ette, New York, 6 April 1830): b. Kirtland, Ohio, 6 Nov. 1832; d. Independence, Mo., 10 Dec. 1914. He resided with his parents at Kirtland, Ohio, until their removal to Far West, Missouri, in 1838. Within a year after ward when his father was arrested by a drunken militia, this boy was thrust from his father at the point of the bayonet and rudely told that he would see his father no more.
In the winter of 1838-39 he accompanied his mother into Illinois, banished from the State under the edict of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs of Missouri. He and his adopted sister crossed the ice of the Mississippi River at Quincy, Ill., clinging to his mother's skirts while she carried his two younger brothers in her arms. After his father joined the fam ily near Quincy, Ill., they settled at Commerce, subsequently called Nauvoo, Ill. Here he witnessed the years of prosperity of the family, also the severe persecution which resulted in the death of his father at the hands of a mob at Carthage, Ill., 27 June 1844.
At Nauvoo he was reared to manhood and spent his early years honored and respected and was several times trusted by his fellow citizens in the office of justice of peace. On
the 6 April 1860 at a conference of the Re organized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held at Amboy, Ill., he was chosen as president of that Church. His presidency of over half a century was exercised with patience and the respect of his people and no breath of suspicion against his moral integrity was ever heard. President Smith was three times married; first in 1856 to Miss Em maline Griswold who died in 1869, subsequently to Miss Bertha Madison who died in 1896, and then to Miss Ada Clarke who survived him but who has since died. The fruit of these three unions was 17 children, 10 of whom are still living, six sons and four daughters. He died at Independence, Mo., 10 Dec. 1914, honored and respected as a consistent leader and near companion by church associates; and by fellow citizens as a loyal, upright and valuable citizen of town, county and State. See REORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS OF LATTER DAY SAINTS.