Biographies S
Willis D. Smith
Willis D. Smith, son of Elijah F. and Nancy V. (Weir) Smith, was born in Muhlenburg County, Ky., February 1, 1853; entered the public school at five years of age, and attended school constantly for some seven years. After that time for several years he worked on the farm in the summer and went to school during the winter.
In September, 1869, he entered the high school at Greenville, Ky., and continued going to school there through the winter, working on the farm through the summer, till 1873. He professed faith in Christ about 1867, and in April, 1872, became a candidate for the ministry, under the care of Anderson Presbytery, of Cumberland Presbyterian church. In October, 1872, he was licensed to preach the gospel.
In September, 1873, he entered McGee College, College Mound, Mo., returning to Muhlenburg County, Ky., July, 1874; was married August 18, 1874 to Miss Margaret Underwood “Mollie” Benton, of Paradise, Kentucky. Neither he nor his wife had a dollar when married, and he was in debt $150 on his last years' schooling.
He was ordained to the full work of the ministry in 1874, and since that time has been actively and constantly engaged in the work of the ministry in the bounds of Anderson and Ohio, but most of the time in Ohio Presbytery.
He is living at present a mile and a half south of Owensboro, Ky., and preaching to six congregations in the Ohio Presbytery; has always found plenty of work in the Master's Vineyard. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have five children, three sons and two daughters.
Source: History of Daviess County, Kentucky. Chicago: Inter-State, 1883. Pages 653-654.
Contributed by Sue Heflin Woolsey
Updated July 9, 2018