Interim Content

Smith, Joseph, III

Biography

6 Nov. 1832–10 Dec. 1914. Clerk, hotelier, farmer, justice of the peace, editor, minister. Born at Kirtland, Geauga Co., Ohio. Son of JS and Emma Hale. Moved to Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri, 1838; to Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, 1839; and to Commerce (later Nauvoo), Hancock Co., Illinois, 1839. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by JS, Nov. 1843, at Nauvoo. Appointed clerk of city council in Canton, Fulton Co., Illinois, Jan. 1855. Married first Emmeline Griswold, 22 Oct. 1856, at Nauvoo. Appointed president of Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 6 Apr. 1860, in Amboy, Lee Co., Illinois. Moved to Plano, Kendall Co., Illinois, 1865. Married second Bertha Madison, 12 Nov. 1869, at Sandwich, Kendall Co. Moved to Little Rock, Kendall Co., by June 1870. Returned to Plano, by June 1880. Moved to Lamoni, Decatur Co., Iowa, 1881. Founded Graceland College in Lamoni and served as chairman of board of trustees, 1893–1898. Married third Ada Rachel Clark, 12 Jan. 1898, at Amaranth, Dufferin Co., Ontario, Canada. Moved to Fayette, Decatur Co., by June 1900. Moved to Independence, Jackson Co., Missouri, 1906. Died at Independence.

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