James Edward Smith was born in Jasper County, Texas, on October 25, 1840. His family moved to Dekalb County, Louisiana, where he grew to maturity.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, J. E. joined the Confederate cause on May 16, 1861, with Captain Williams’ Company, 9th Louisiana CSA. The Company was ordered to Virginia to serve under General Thomas Johnathan “Stonewall” Jackson until his death. The Company then served under General Robert E. Lee until the surrender at Appamattox. James was seriously injured in the first engagement, but recovered to serve the remainder of the war.
James married Harriet Spell in 1867 and, in 1874, they moved to Comanche County, Texas. They had 10 children and 9 were living at the time of his death. He was a Methodist and a member of the Creamer Church since it’s organization. Their children were at his death:
1) James Edwin 1871-1950, buried at Paint Rock, Concho County;
2) Ella Armanda Lassiter 1868-1955, buried in Irion County;
3) Adella McDaniel 1883-1949, buried at Indian Creek;
4) Rufus B. 1889-1984, buried at Bangs;
5) Ruth Naomi Black 1889-1976, buried at Cisco;
6) Ida Holmes Wood 1869-1957, buried at Oakwood in Comanche;
7) Bessie Rebecca McCollough 1885-1982, buried at Shiloh in Comanche County;
8) William Robert 1875-1942, buried at Indian Creek;
9) Jesse Johnson 1887-1947, buried at Indian Creek.
James E. Smith died January 7, 1926, at the age of 81.