Life History

Notes

• 1860 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 20 July, Prairie Township, p 62, Hse #454, Fam #434
  Benz E Smith 28 M Farmer $200 Personal Estate b Prussia
  Mary E Smith 17 F No Occupation b Arkansas
  Cobel Pierce 28 F Housekeeper $170 Personal Estate b Tennessee
  James Jacek (?) Pierce 2 M b Arkansas
  
  The 1860 census tells us that Benz Smith was born in Prussia, the north German state leading the Prussian Empire in Europe.  The English form here would represent the anglicization of his original German form of the name Schmidt.  I have not found further details about the birth location of Benz Schmidt in the Prussian Empire.  In this census, the couple do not yet have any children.
  
  The 1880 census lists a son Henry for Benz' wife Mary, who married William F Jones in about 1868 or 1869.  Benz could have died any time from about 1866, when their son Henry was born, based on Henry's age of 14 in 1880.
  
  1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas, 11 June, (Location & District Unstated), p 17, #115, Fam #118
  William F Jones W M 71    Farmer VA VA VA (b abt 1809)
  Mary E Jones W F 38 Wife Keeping House b AR Mass KY (b abt 1822)
  Henry Smith 14 M W Step-Son On Farm AR Prussia AR (b abt 1866)

Sources

• 1. 1860 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 20 July, Prairie Township, p 62, Hse #454, Fam #434
• 2. 1880 Federal Census, Arkansas County, Arkansas
  • 11 June, (Location & District Unstated), p 17, #115, Fam #118
• 3. Email Sources
• 4. Find a Grave Memorial Registry