DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about James Norman Smith, down in DeWitt County. Now, they called him Uncle Jimmy the Peacemaker — and by the time this story's done, you'll understand why a name like that tends to stick. James Norman Smith came into this world in North Carolina, son of Sergeant James Turner Smith, a veteran of the American Revolution.
He got his education there too, in North Carolina, before he moved on to Tennessee — where he stayed for thirty-two years. Thirty-two years is a long stretch of time to put roots down, and he used every bit of it. One of his students in Tennessee was a young man named James K.
Polk, who later went on to become a President of the United States. Not a bad name to have on your teaching record. But Uncle Jimmy wasn't the kind of man to settle into comfort when there was still ground to cover.
In 1840, he came to Texas — and the moment he arrived in the area that would become DeWitt County, he got to work. He taught the first school in that area. Year he arrived.
Didn't waste a minute. And teaching was just the beginning. Smith surveyed DeWitt County.
He served as the first county clerk. He organized Presbyterian churches — not one, not two, but seven of them: at Victoria, Hochheim, Clinton, Peebles Ranch, Mill Creek, Live Oak, and Cuero. Seven congregations across the county, and he's the thread connecting every one of them.
He also organized the first Masonic Lodge in the county. The man was everywhere, doing everything, and somehow keeping the peace while he did it. Then comes 1857.
A political rally. The crowd is gathered, the air is charged, and Uncle Jimmy Smith steps up to introduce the speaker — an old friend from his Tennessee days. That friend's name was Sam Houston.
Peacemaker. Schoolteacher. Surveyor.
County clerk. Church organizer. And the man who introduced Sam Houston to a DeWitt County crowd.
Some names, you don't forget. And some men, Texas was lucky to get.
What the marker says
"Uncle Jimmy the Peacemaker." Son of Sgt. James Turner Smith, veteran of American Revolution. Born and educated in North Carolina. Lived for 32 years in Tennessee, where he taught James K. Polk, later a U.S. President. Taught first school in area now De Witt County, 1840 (year he came to Texas). Surveyed De Witt County; was first county clerk. Organized Presbyterian churches at Victoria, Hochheim, Clinton, Peebles Ranch, Mill Creek, Live Oak, and Cuero. Organized first Masonic Lodge in county. At 1857 political rally, introduced old Tennessee friend, Sam Houston.