Photo by Sbugsyk
Oak Top/ C.K. Smith House was built in the 1850s by Thomas Watkins Wisdom (1824-1865) and Clara A. Beaumont Wisdom (1832-1925). The Wisdoms wed in 1855.
It was constructed in Greek Revival style at 107 Madison Terrace on 10 acres. Clara’s parents, Sarah and Rev. H.P. Beaumont, then her brother, C.W. Beaumont, owned the Wilson Home. Wisdom served as Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court in Montgomery County, as County Judge (first Montgomery County judge) and practiced law as a partner to James E. Bailey. In 1962, Judge Wisdom, Cave Johnson and mayor George Smith negotiated the peaceful surrender of Clarksville to Union trioops. After Thomas died, Clara returned to her hometown of Owensboro, KY.
By 1869, Clara’s other brother and sister-in-law, Sterling Francisco Beaumont (1825-1888) and Martha “Mattie” L.P. Conrad Beaumont (1833-1889), had purchased Oak Top. They wed in 1853. Sterling, trained as a lawyer, started and ran a wholesale and retail grocery operation from 1845-1853. In 1865, he became president of First National Bank, bought Oak Top and lived there until 1890. He also ran one of the largest tobacco stemmeries in Clarksville and for years was president of the Tobacco Board of Trade. He was also a trustee of the Female Academy.
After Beaumont left, Oak Top had several owners. In 1911, Christopher Kropp (C. K.) Smith (1864-1957) and Eva Homer Smith (1867-1934) moved from 303 Market Street to Oak Top. They wed in 1889. In 1911, the Hunter family purchased the home and have kept Oak Top in the family since. In 1937, nine acres were sold.
Their daughter, Mildred Smith Glenn and relative Sory Smith owned the home in 1957, and Mildred lived there for much of the 20th century.
In 1973, Lee “Buddy” Owen Hunter (1928-2016) and Evelyn Homer Glenn Hunter (1927-2013), Mildred’s daughter, owned Oak Top with its one remaining acre. Lee was involved in farming at his Windy Hill Farm and other business. Evelyn was a teacher. NRHP 1980 See Joseph Wilson House
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