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Population 1887--White 12,000; colored, 2000, total 14,000.
County Seat Marion, Population 1,300
Vote of county November, 1886, Democrats 852; Republicans 1,166
Value of Real Estate: $1,590,335.88
Value of Personal Property: $498,381.00
Tax real estate: $6,343.29
Tax personal property: $1,993,51
Smyth county was formed from Washington and Wythe in 1831. It lies in the valley formed by the Alleghany and Clinch mountains, with Washington county on the western and Wythe and Bland on the eastern borders. The valley lands are very fertile, and the upper lands produce the spontaneous blue grass, upon which large herds of cattle are annually raised. The county is drained by the North, Middle, and South forks of the Holston river, which have their rise in this county, while the Norfolk and Western railroad extends through its middle part east and west. It has been demonstrated by actual experience within the last few years that the county (especially the Rich Valley and Chestnut Ridge sections) cannot be surpassed for the production of tobacco--either fine yellow or heavy shipping. Corn, wheat, oats, and buckwheat are grown in paying quantities, and the diary and orchard products are varied and valuable. Iron ore, limestone and salt are found in great abundance, as are also lead, cooper, gypsum, and marble. Marion the county seat is a thriving, handsome town of considerable business importance, situated about the center of the county, 275 southwest from Richmond on the line fo the Norfolk & Western Railroad, and on the banks of the Middle Fork Holston river. It is the site of the South Western Lunatic Asylum. The county has an area of 511 square miles, 327,294 acres, and the lands have an average assessed valued of about $4.00 per acre.
Post Offices
Adwolf - J. U. Wolfe
Atkins' Tank - W. H. Hays
Bradford
Camp - W. R. B. Horne
Cedar Springs
Chatham Hill - Thos. K. Sexton
Ellendale - Mrs. W. H. Saunderrs
Grosses
Holstein Mills
Long Hollow - Mrs. Mattie Shannon
Marion - R. J. Haller
Olympia - J. B. Whitehead
Plasteburg
Rich Valley - C. D. Carter
Rock Grove
Rye Valley - E. M. James
St. Clair's Bottom
Seven Mile Ford - J. W. Dungan, Jr.
Sugar Grove - J. K. Whisman
Town House - H. G. Heninger
Valley View - Evan D. Richardson
Courts
The Circuit Court of the Sixteenth Circuit meets at Marion on the 3rd Monday in March and August, and 1st Monday in January
Judge: John A. Kelly
Clerk: Wm. C. Sexton
The County Court meets at Marion on the third Monday in each month.
Judge: George W. Richardson
Clerk: William C. Sexton
County Officers
Sheriff: F. W. Leonard
Treasurer: Jas. W. Richardson
Surveyor: A. P. Killinger
Commissioners of Revenue: J. M. Williams, B. F. Call, J. L. Gollehon
Commonwealth's Attorney: A. M. Dickinson
Superintendent of the Poor: R. C. Williams
Magistrates
John Iron, A. B. Smith, William Leonard, Marion District
James Edmondston, J. J. Kirk, Saml. WIlkinson, St. Clair District
Justus Hubble, A. T. Starrett, C. D. Carter, Rich Valley District
Supervisors
C. F. Lincoln, Marion, John M. Gwyn, Olympia; S. J. James, St. Clair's Bottom.
Overseers of Poor
Robert Allison, Bradford, I. C. Anderson, Marion; James A. Hutton, Holstein Mills
Agricultural Implements
Look & Lincoln - Marion
Asylums
Southwest Lunatic - Dr. Black, superintendent - Marion
Attorneys at Law
Buchanan, B. F. - Marion
Cole, A. P. - Marion
Dickenson, A. M. - Marion
Fudge, G. H. - Marion
Jones, H. C. - Marion
Jones, S. D. - Marion
Miller, D. C. - Marion
Pendleton, A. G. & W. C. - Marion
Sheffy & Richardson - Marion
St. John, N. C. - Seven Mile Ford
Banks
Bank of Marion - E. H. Copenhaver, Cashier - Marion
Barytes Manufacturers
Copenhaver, H. P. - Marion
Luther, J. M. & Co. - Marion
Blacksmiths and Wheelwrights
Hunter, Charles - Marion
King, R. L. - Marion
Newman, Francis - Marion
Nickells, R. F. - Marion
Boarding
Carrier, D. F., Mrs. - Marion
Maury, C. E., Mrs. - Marion
Broom Manufacturers
Thornton, J. L. - Marion
Butchers and Meat Markets
Buchanan, M. R. & Co. - Marion
Saunders, J. N. - Marion
Wilmore & Henager - Marion
Cabinet Makers
Seaver, W. C. - Marion
Wilmore, T. J. - Marion
Carpenters and Builders
Blount, John A. - Marion
Campbell, Alexander - Marion
Carrier, D. F. - Marion
Parish, J. H. - Marion
Cattle Dealers
Carter & George - Broad Ford
McCormick, S. W. - Saltville, Washington Co.
Thomas, J. V. - Marion
Coach and Wagon Builders
Boothe & Collie - Seven Mile Ford
Crucy, T. W. - Ellendale
Durman, W. F. - Adwolf
Hatfield, D. W. - Long Hollow
Hayton, Peter - Olympia
Look & Lincoln - Marion
Pierce, A. W. - Rye Valley
Snavley, Charles - Town House
Clothing
Weller, M. - Marion
Dentists
Gore, N. M. - Marion
Haller, E. J. - Marion
Hill, J. P. - Town House
Kloeber, J. S. - Marion
Richardson, Charles - Valley View
Distillers
Barker, P. A. - Ellendale
Boyles, E. F. - Olympia
Cooper, P. D. - Olympia
Wilkinson, S. - Sugar Grove
Druggists
Pendleton, J. S. - Marion
Sheffey, John P. - Marion
Furniture Dealers and Manufacturers
Seaver, W. C. - Marion
General Merchants
Baker & Dungan - Seven Mile Ford
Baylor, W. G. - Town House
Buchanan, F. S. & Co. - Ellendale
Cole, J. B. - St. Clair's Bottom
Crush, Geo. F. & Co. - Marion
Dungan, W. T. & Co. - Marion
Fell, J. W. - Marion
Goodell, R. M. - Marion
Greever, Prickett & Co. - Town House
Groseclose, J. L. - Marion
Hill, A. C. - Marion
Jackson, M. - Marion
James, W. F. - Rye Valley
Kent, S. W. & Co. - Broadford
Neff & Co. - St. Clair's Bottom
Nelson, J. W. - Sugar Grove
Painter, S. C. - Marion
Pickle, L. J. - Atkin's Tank
Poff & Hubble - Chatham Hill
Pratt & McCready - Long Hollow
Rhea, J. B. - Marion
Scott Bros. - Camp
Sexton & Richardson - Valley View
Thomas, C. F. - Marion
Thornton, J. L. - Marion
Whitehead, John B. & Co. - Olympia
Williams, C. M. - Atkins' Tank
Grocers
Atkins, W. J. - Marion
Francis, W. P. - Marion
Hardware
Heptinstall, W. F. - Marion
Sheffey, John P. - Marion
Hotels
Central, J. D. Noell - Marion
Dungan, J. W. - Seven Mile Ford
Exchange - G. S. Smith - Marion
Marion House - Mrs. E. N. Sprinkle - Marion
Insurance Agents
Pendleton, J. G. - Marion
Richardson, G. W. - Marion
Insurance Companies
Virginia Fire & Marine, G. W. Richardson, Agent - Marion
Iron Founders and Machinists
Booth, Joel - Seven Mile Ford
Jones, J. M. & Co. - Marion
Luther, J. M. & Co. - Marion
Iron Manufacturers
Lobdell Car Wheel Co. - Cedar Springs
Land Agents
Marion Land Agency and Improvement Company - Marion
Richardson, W. L. - Valley View
Livery and Feed Stables
Pruner, Thos. S. - Marion
Williams, Augustus - Marion
Millinery and Notions
Mays, R. Kate, Miss - Atkins' Tank
Sprinkle, E. N., Mrs. - Marion
Mills -- Corn and Flour
Baker, J. H. - Town House
Baker, P. A. - Ellendale
Beatie, C. W. - Town House
Carter, C. D. - Rich Valley
Coles, A. P. - St. Clair's Bottom
Custer, H. - Olympia
Ferguson, J. F. & Co. - Chatham Hill
Grayson, F. - Long Hollow
Harman & Hubble - Olympia
Holstein Woollen Co. - Holstein Mills
Hull & Staley - Marion
Humphrey, J. L. - Seven Mile Ford
Humphrey, D. F. - Rich Valley
Martin, John - Rock Grove
Musser, G. W. - Atkins' Tank
Nelson, N. J. - Sugar Grove
Palmer, Geo. W. - Saltville, Washington Co.
Preston, J. M. - Seven Mile Ford
Seaver, W. C. - Marion
Scott, L. M. - Sugar Grove
Starett & Sons - Broadford
Stone, A. F. - Marion
Umbarger, M. F. - Camp
Mills - Plaster
Holston Salt and Plaster Co. - Saltville, Washington Co.
Robrts, Windom - Saltville, Washington Co.
Mills - Saw
Barker, P. A. - Ellendale
Brown, Levi - Atkins' Tank
Carter, C. D. - Rich Valley
Coles, A. C. - St. Clair's Bottom
Custer, H. - Olympia
Ferguson, J. F. & Co. - Chatham Hill
Humphrey, J. L. - Seven Mile Ford
Hankley & Perkins - Town House
James, E. M. - Sugar Grove
Morris, C. D. - Town House
Preston, John M. - Seven Mile Ford
Pugh, L. M. - Rye Valley
Starrett & Sons - Broadford
Whitehead, J. B. & Co. - Olympia
Mills - Woollen
Holstein, Woollen Co. - Holstein Mills
Olympia Mills - Olympia
Palmer, G. & Co. - Marion
Millwrights
Bennett, James W. - Seven-Mile Ford
Catron, H. C. - Olympia
Custer, H. - Olympia
Nelson, G. L. - Sugar Grove
Ratliffe, George - Olympia
Shupe, Abraham - Sugar Grove
Newspapers
Conservative Democrat - R. H. Brown, editor and propietor - Marion
Photographers
Thornton, J. L. - Marion
Physicians
Apperson, J. S. - Seven Mile Ford
Atkins, P. W. - Marion
Davis, D. T. - Olympia
Dickinson, S. W. - Marion
Hubbell, G. W. - Seven Mile Ford
Hufford, R. D. - Chatham Hill
James, E. M. - Sugar Grove
Pendleton, J. S. - Marion
Scott, James T. - Town House
Sprinkle, G. W. - Marion
Watson, M. P. - Broadford
Williams, J. M. - Rye Valley
Young, P. S. - Olympia
Saddlers and Harnessmakers
Kinder, J. H. - Valley View
Lewis, W. H. - Olympia
Lovelace, J. H. - Seven Mile Ford
Moore, W. E. - Marion
Pruner, G. A. - Marion
Schools
Dickey, Sallie M., Miss - Marion
Liberty Academy - Seven Mile Ford
Long Hollow Academy - Long Hollow
Marion Female College - Rev. J. J. Scherer, principal - Marion
Rye Valley Institute - Rye Valley
Sanders, Mrs. M. H. - Ellendale
There are 57 white and 8 colored public schools in this county. Superintendent: Maj. A. G. Pendleton, Marion
Stoves and Tinware
Heptinstall, R. M. - Marion
Tailors
Francis, James H. - Marion
Tanners and Curriers
Hopkins, C. E. & Son - Rye Valley
Hull, J. N. - Marion
Vaught, J. M. - Chatham Hill
Whitehead, J. B. - Olympia
Theaters
Seaver's Opera House - Marion
Undertakers
Crucy, T. & T. W. - Ellendale
Dilman, Samuel - Olympia
Harris & Catron - Long Hollow
Keesling Henderson - Rye Valley
Seaver, W. C. - Marion
Whisman, W. L. - Sugar Grove
Variety Stores
Sprinkle, E. N., Mrs. - Marion
Watchmakers and Jewelers
Campbell, A. H. - Marion
Musselwhite, J. H. - Marion
Colley, C. C. - Marion
Principal Farmers
Adwolf - Adison Wolfe, Wm. H. Wolfe, C. M. Byarse, I. C. Anderson, Jno. W. Anderson, H. T. Anderson, C. O. Wheeler, W. H. Meek, T. J. Thomas
Atkins' Tank -- D. W. Bear, A. G. Wassum, J. H. Hoofnagle, J. D. Pratt, Daniel Aker, J. F. Eller, S. G. Atkins, A. H. Atkins, W. D. McGhee, Nelson Howard, W. H. Sprinkle, Steward Lindamood, T. J. Kegley, John Franklin
Broadford --Alex Whittaker, Barns & Taylor, W. W. George, J. W. Brown, W. C. Grayson, C. W. Roberts, John Littrell, Jas. A. Gollehon, Jno. R. Buchanan, Jno. Shannon, Edward L. Roberts
Camp -- S. M. Horne, R. B. Horne, Wm. Wingate, E. Wampler, Jeremiah Criggler, Henry Horne, Mrs. H. James, Jacob Wright.
Chatham Hill--John M. Gwyn, George W. Hays, Wm. T. Campbell, R. M. Gaddy, George W. Pratt, James B. Sexton, W. H. Hughes, R. G. Young, T. B. Ward, Wm. F. Anderson, Adam Ritter, Stephen Goodman, T. K. Sexton, George W. Gelaspie, J. H. Buchanan.
Ellendale -- H. S. Buchanan, F. G. Buchanan, L. S. Campbell, George W. Buchanan, Isaac T. Pratt, M. R. Ryburn, Thompson Buchanan, James Clark, J. G. Gillespie, Obediah Neal, P. A. Barker, J. W. Louthian, F. M. Webb, Clement C. Buchanan, John F. Buchanan.
Long Hollow --C. J. Shannon, J. C. Buchanan, E. J. McCarty, J. M. Pratt, T. M. Buchanan, R. K. Kelly, C. W. Grayson, James Clark, John K. Orr, J. H. Burkett, W. H. Shannon, C. M. Shannon
Marion -- Nancy C. Sprinkle, Isaac C. Anderson, John Copenhaver, D. D. Huff, V. S. Morgan, J. S. Groseclose, Jno. W. Anderson, Peter Groseclose, Look & Lincoln, Robert Goolsby, Jno. P. Sheffy, Jno. H. Copenhaver, Wm. E. Copenhaver, Adam Collop, A. F. Stone, A. P. Scott, J. B. Umbarger, W. S. Umbarger, J. V. Thomas, A. P. Cole, est., N. C. Harris, Jas. A. Harris, Jas. A. Harris, H. B. Hallor, J. T. Johnston, John W. Newman, Jos. Atkins, R. J. Preston, A. G. Pendleton, I. B. Rhea, Stephen Groseclose, T. J. Thomas, H. B. Copenhaver, W. M. Copenhaver, R. T. Copenhaver, W. D. McGhee, John S. Copenhaver, H. G. Fox
Olympia -- H. Harman, J. B. Harman, A. J. Hubble, H. T. Hubble, I. M. Hubble, Geo. W. Robinett, M. L. Umbarger, T. B. Buchanan, A. Barnett, Wm. M. Davis, Isaac Goodman, Wm. H. Carter, Arch Smith.
Rich Valley - W. F. Worley, T. T. Worley, J. C. Buchanan, T. W. Buchanan, W. B. Spratt, C. D. Carter, B. W. Smith, D. F. Humphrey
Rye Valley--L. M. Pugh, S. Wilkinson, George W. Scott, W. F. James, W. J. Chrisenhall, James F. Scott, S. N. Blackenbeckler, J. M. McCormack, D. N. Griffitts, H. Griffitts
St. Clair Bottom -- Hugh F. Cole, A. Bishop, Eliza Cole, Sallie S. Cole, Jno. Rouse, W. B. McKee
Seven Mile Ford --J. M. Preston, C. H. C. Preston, Chas. J. Dungan, R. P. Baker, Joel Boothe, J. B. Baker, R. S. Bonham, A. T. & N. C. St. John, Dr. J. S. Apperson, J. L. Sanders, A. A. Late, W. E. & W. F. Leonard, J. L. Humphrey, C. S. Durmond, D. V. Wolfe
Sugar Grove---Thomas Wilkinson, C. P. Ashlin, J. J. Kirk, J. T. Porter, W. C. Scott, J. T. Nelson, John M. Haulsee, Josiah Cress, L. M. Scott, James A. James, Wm. M. James, A. J. Williams, Robert B. Pierce, James C. Pierce, R. C. Williams
Town House--A. F. St. John, J. L. Saudners, Jas. S. Greever, H. H. Tate, Chas. R. Greever, Thos. Rector, Wm. W. Edwards, John Callahan, John Faris, Jas. Bonham, John Dungan
Valley View--George W. Buchanan, John F. Buchanan, Clem Buchanan, Jas. R. Hubble, Geo. W. Hubble, J. F. Haller, Anthony McIntire, R. S. Burnop, James H. Boland, George Gillespie, F. J. Whitehead, John Woodall, James Totten, E. L. Seton, Wm. S. Campbell, R. H. Richardson, Samuel Spence, K. G. Carter