OKGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by any other organization or
persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must
obtain the written consent of OKGenWeb State Coordinator.

Presentation here does not extend any permissions to the public. This
material can not be included in any compilation, publication,
collection, or other reproduction for profit without permission. Files
may be printed or copied for personal use only.
=====================================================================

JOHN LEE SMITH
Vol. 3, p. 1322, 1333

At the head of Waynoka's post office is John Lee Smith, a well known
and substantial citizen who has for many years been engaged in
journalism in the Southwest. Since young manhood a stanch adherent of
the principles of democracy, he has steadily followed his party's
fortunes, giving most loyal services, but his present office is the
first he has held. While he has been postmaster for only a
comparatively short period he has already displayed executive ability
of a high order, and has proved to be a most popular and efficient
official.

Mr. Smith was born March 16, 1868, at Starrville, Smith county,
Texas, and is a son of William Henry and Mary Ann (BOBBITT) Smith.
His father was born February 14, 1838, at Nashville, Tennessee, and
in early life learned the trade of shoemaker, which he followed
throughout his life with the exception of several years passed in the
hotel business at various points. When the Civil war came on, Mr.
Smith enlisted in a Confederate regiment from Tennessee, and during
the greater part of his service was employed at making shoes for his
comrades in the ranks. At the close of that struggle, he went to
Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas, where he was engaged in business as a
shoemaker for thirty years, subsequently removing to Dallas, where he
died in 1897, at the age of fifty-nine years. Mr. Smith was married
in 1863 to Miss Mary Ann BOBBITT, who was born in 1841, in Tennessee,
a daughter of M. G. and Martha Bobbitt, and died at Terrell, Texas,
in 1896. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of three sons and four daughters,
namely: Ida E., who is the wife of N. E. LEATHERWOOD, of Dallas,
Texas; Jessie, who is the wife of J. R. HOWELL, of Scurry, Texas;
Walter, editor of the Enterprise and postmaster of Grandfield,
Oklahoma; John Lee, of this review; Eva L., who is deceased; Mattie
L., now the wife of R. L. MCKELLAR, a real estate broker of San
Diego, California; and Clarence R., a printer.

John Lee Smith received ordinary educational advantages in the
public schools of Terrell, Texas, and at the age of fourteen years
started on his life's career when he became apprenticed to the trade
of printer, in which he served three years. He became a newspaper
proprietor on his own account in 1885 when he established the
Seagoville Star, at Seagoville, Texas, a small sheet of which he
continued to be the editor and publisher for years, during which time
he secured some very valuable experience His next venture occurred in
1888, when he established the Journal, at Edgewood, Texas, continuing
to conduct this for two years. Various other enterprises followed,
and in 1907 he came to Oklahoma, where, at Grandfield, he remained
one year. In 1908 he became the founder of the Dill City News, at
Dill City, Oklahoma, which he ma published until 1911, and then came
to Waynoka and purchased the Tribune, the name of which he
subsequently changed to the Waynoka Democrat. He has continued to
publish this newspaper, which he has conducted in a clean, reliable
and trustworthy manner, filling its columns with good news of events
local, state and national, bright and timely editorials and other
interesting matter, and has received the support of both subscribers
and advertisers. As before noted, Mr. Smith has always given his
support to the democratic Party, and in 1914 an appreciation of his
services as well as His fitness for the office came in an appointment
from President Wilson to the office of postmaster of Waynoka, the
duties of which he assumed August 1st. He has conscientiously
endeavored to discharge his responsibilities in a thorough manner,
and has visibly improved the Mail service here. Mr. Smith is a
popular member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows.

On March 24, 1890, at Terrell, Texas, Mr. Smith was united in
marriage with Miss Rebecca BALLARD, who was born June 30, 1870, at
Paris, Illinois, daughter of David B. and Mary Ann (NOEL) Ballard.
They have one son: Marvin Leslie, born July 2, 1891, who is serving
as clerk in the postoffice, while Mrs. Smith is assistant post-
mistress. All are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.

Typed for OKGenWeb by Lee Ann Collins October 16, 1998.