Images of Harry Smith’s male progenitors
Who are the fathers of Harry Smith? What should we make of Harry claiming as his dad the author of The Book of Lies? Harry pulling the leg of the interviewer … putting on a show? Generations before Harry achieved fame, the family star was John Corson Smith, a retired Civil War general, wealthy former Illinois state treasurer, world traveler, and author of Masonic histories.
The elder Smith’s renown and connections undoubtedly advanced the prospects of his children in Chicago and beyond. John Corson begat Robert Ambrose, who became a midlevel salmon cannery manager who begat Robert James, who became an unassuming mariner and Harry’s father. “They were excellent parents that I had, but they were a peculiar type,” Harry said. His mother and grandmother would ridicule the Masonic rituals, which, according to Harry, “irritated my male progenitors.”
Thanks to Harry's cousin for sharing these photos. The top image shows Robert Ambrose Smith and brother Sam Smith in about 1864. The lower photo is of Robert James Smith with sister Dorothy and brother Harold “Harry” Smith in 1890s Chicago. John Corson Smith appears below. Sounding for Harry Smith: Early Pacific Northwest Influences is available at book stores, record shops, museums and www.soundingforharrysmith.com