Afton Smith was born April 15, 1908, in a home located at the top of the circle now known as part of the Hindman Settlement School campus.  He was the eighth of 12 children born to Carew and Marybelle Baker Smith. Soon after the birth of Afton, the Smiths sold the land for the eventual establishment of the settlement school and loved a short distance up Left Fork of  Troublesome Creek.
   
Of the six sons and six daughters, Afton is one of only four survivors and is the sole surviving son  His remaining sisters are Mabel Kelly, Greta Napier and Ruth Greene.

After completing school at Hindman, Afton attended what is now Eastern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky Law School.

On May 18, 1942, Afton was inducted into the U.S. Air Force and served into the U.S. Air Force and served nearly three and one-half years during World War II.  This service consisted primarily of  assignments in North Africa, England, France and Belgium.

After the war, Afton returned to his hometown of Hindman and his law practice.  During his practice, he has served as Hindman City Attorney and was elected to complete the term of Knott County Attorney left vacant by the election of Carl D. Perkins to the U. S. Congress.  In 1951, Afton ran for Commonwealth Attorney for the 36th Judicial district composed of Knott County and Magoffin County. 
He opposed and defeated the incumbent, Mr. Earl cooper of Salyersville. Afton sought re-election to this office five additional terms and was re-elected without opposition from either county or either party and served for a total of 36 years in this office.

Following the war, Afton married Janis Hays.  To this happy union was born two sons, Granby J. smith and Douglas M. Smith. Both sons now live and work in Lexington, Ky.  Afton and Janis have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Afton is a member of the Hindman United Methodist Church and  
Hindman Masonic Lodge # 689 A and FM

 Corbett Mullins
June 6, 2003