Judge James Franklin Smith

This is one of the recollections written by Wallace A. McKay and published in The Pioneer-News. Follow the "Recollections" link above to find others of his writings.

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The Pioneer-News, June 2, 1933, pages 1-2

A Sketch of Judge and James F. Smith's Family and Connections

One of the most unique and substantial citizens of Bullitt in the period form 1880 to 1901 was Judge James Franklin Smith, who was born at Bardstown Junction April 14, 1830, and died February 14, 1901. Judge Smith was a man of parts and was full of enterprise and energy, and was always a leader in whom the people had confidence and followed with great loyalty and devotion during the long period of his active life. In early life he was a farmer and a trader but in his later years he became a leading merchant of Shepherdsville. In early life he served as Deputy Sheriff and afterwards High Sheriff and was several times elected County Judge where he served very acceptably to the people.

Judge Smith was the eldest son of Peter Smith and Amanda F. Holmes Smith, who were pioneer citizens of Bullitt County, having lived at Bardstown Junction, where they had a fine home and farm and raised a large family of children; among which were Susan Catherine, born July 28, 1829, died January 1, 1887. She became the wife of Warren Merrifield. The second child was James F. Smith, the subject of this sketch. The third child was a daughter, Mattie P. Smith, who married Robert Ignatius Hoagland, better known as "Nanc." They were fine people, kind, hospitable and much beloved by their friends and neighbors. Mrs Hoagland was born January 23, 1833 and died January 20, 1888.

Among their large family of children were Mrs. Maggie E. Oaks, the wife of E. D. Oaks, Hallie P. Field, the wife of Willis Field, John C. B. Hoagland, H. Lee Hoagland, Thomas W. Hoagland and Robert K. Hoagland. All of these children are honest, industrious, worthy people and highly respected by all who know them. Judge Smith's other brothers were Peter Kerr Smith who married Linnie Troutman, born September 11, 1836, died January 1, 1903. John Davis Smith, unmarried who was born March 15, 1839. He enlisted in the Confederate Army and was killed in battle August 5, 1862. Thomas Smith, born March 7, 1844, died July 4, 1907. He married Lizzie Langsford and raised an interesting family; he moved to Bardstown where he became a very prominent and popular citizen. Warren Smith was born February 23, 1847 and died November 29, 1884, unmarried and man of wit and fine sense of humor and one of the most popular young men Bullitt County ever produced. His untimely death while in the prime of life, was a great shock to the people and caused universal mourning. In addition to Mrs. Hoagland, Judge Smith had two other sisters viz; Mary Elizabeth, who became the wife of Harry Shaw, born September 11, 1842 and died January 25, 1923; and Amelia Lee Smith, who became the wife of Judge Richard McConathy, a prominent and talented man who served as Circuit Court Clerk of Bullitt County in his early manhood and afterwards located at Ocala, Florida, where he lived to the ripe old age of 82, only dying recently.

The writer remembers Richard McConathy and his beautiful wife, "Miss Amelia," as all the children called her. Mrs. McConathy was one of the most charming, attractive and interesting women the writer ever knew. She loved children and young people and they all loved her, and she could never do too much for their happiness and comfort.

Richard McConathy was one of the very best Circuit Court Clerks in the State and after he moved to Florida in 1882 he engaged in the practice of law and became quite successful. He served three terms as Mayor of Ocala, Florida; and also a term as County Judge. There never was a more congenial and popular couple than Judge McConathy and his estimable wife. He left quite a fine estate, a part of which was devised to some of the relatives of his wife in Kentucky.

The writer could put down many interesting stories of the Smith and Hoagland families who were life-long friends of his parents and grand-parents, but lack of space forbids at this time.

W. A. M.

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