The Smith Families of Henry County, Illinois

JOHN F. SMITH.

One of the most influential men of Edford township and also one of its wealthiest farmers is John F, Smith, who for many years has been the township supervisor. He has likewise a reputation as a feeder and producer of beef cattle and his home, on section 31, is one of the notable farms of the locality. He was born on the land on which he now lives and in the house in which his son Arthur A. resides, November 10, 1854, and is the son of William F. and Caroline (Emmert) Smith. The father, who was a native of Prussia, came to America at the age of nineteen and, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, went to work in that state as a farm hand. After a few years, by dint of much saving, he was able to buy six horses and engaged in hauling goods from Baltimore, Maryland, to Wheeling, West Virginia, and to other places in those states and in Ohio. He followed that line of work until the railroads invading the territory destroyed his business and compelled him to seek a land of greater opportunities. Accordingly he and a brother John started westward. They went down the Ohio river, then up the Mississippi to Alton, and across the prairies to Henry county, Illinois, working for varying periods of time at different places along their line of progress. The brothers remained for some weeks in Jacksonville, and perhaps would have made it their home save for the prevalence of ague there at the time, which compelled them to continue their wanderings till they came to a more suitable place. In 1850 they located on the farm on which John F. Smith was born. They bought one hundred and sixty acres apiece from the Davenports, who had put up a house, the frame of which is still standing. It had been hewn out of native oaks and the sawed lumber had been hauled by ox-teams from Chicago. After making their purchase they returned to Cumberland, Maryland, and sold their teams preparatory to a permanent removal, and in the spring of 185 1 they came to Henry county, bringing with them their families. They went down the Ohio river and up the Mississippi as they had done on their first trip and landed at Rock Island, whence they drove across the country to Edford township and their new home. This did indeed prove to be a land of opportunities, for good fortune attended his earnest efforts, and William Smith was able to add steadily to the original tract until he had over a thousand acres of good, arable land.

While he was engaged in teaming in Cumberland, Maryland, William Smith became acquainted with and married Miss Caroline Emmert, a native of Bavaria, who had come to this country with her parents. There were six children of this union, one of whom was born in Maryland. They were Maggie A., who married Dr. A. I. Lawbaugh, of Calumet, Michigan; William F., who died at the age of three; John F., of this sketch; Carrie, who is the wife of George J. Smith and lives in Geneseo; Ella, who married James Stevenson, of Geneseo; and Emma, who, unmarried, resides in Geneseo. A stanch democrat in his political views, the father was yet never an office-seeker, though concerned for the welfare of the township. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, and after coming to this locality assisted in establishing the English church of that denomination. He was a friend of education and made his prime duty to upbuild the interests of the community. He passed away February 26, 1902, and his wife survived him only until November 18 of that year.

John F. Smith spent his boyhood on the home farm and in the common schools received a good English education. At the age of nineteen he took a course of six months in Bryant & Stratton Business College at Davenport, Iowa, and immediately after assumed charge of four hundred and eighty acres which his father had purchased in Western township. Until he was twenty-two years of age he remained in the employ of his father and then for six years longer engaged in farming in Western township on his own account. By diligent efforts and excellent management he has been able to win a success that is almost phenomenal, for besides the three hundred and twenty acres he inherited he has been able to buy land until he now owns thirteen hundred and fifty acres in Henry county and four hundred and eighty acres in South Dakota. General farming demands much of his attention, but he gives every year more and more time to the breeding of cattle and the high grade of his stock has made for him a wide reputation.

On the 6th of March, 1882, Mr. Smith wedded Miss Mary E. Smith, of Livingston county, Illinois. She is a native of Maryland, and is a daughter of Charles A. and Elizabeth (Hazel) Smith, who had been friends of the parents of John F. Smith in Maryland and after the former came to Illinois they revived the old acquaintanceship. Mr. and Mrs. John F. Smith have had six children. Walter W. married Miss Velmya Howlett and lives in Osco township.

Arthur A. married Miss Abbie Richmond and Hves on the home place. Everett E. married Miss Rebecca Brown, of Hooppole, Yorktown township, and Hves in Edford township. William F. is at home. John Wesley and George Leslie, the youngest, are twins. All the older children have graduated from the high school and the others are either attending school in Geneseo or at Knox College, for Mr. Smith fully appreciates the value of a good education. In fact for twenty-five years he has been a school director and has used his influence toward educational advancement in Edford township.

A democrat in his political views, he has filled the office of supervisor of his township since 1902. He was first elected to serve as chairman of the board to fill out the unexpired term of the late Thomas Nowers in 1907 and has since continuously held that position. During the period of his incumbency substantial improvements have gone steadily ahead. Reared in the Lutheran faith, since he was sixteen he has been a member of the English church of that denomination in Morristown, the church his father did so much toward establishing. His wife and children also belong to the congregation and are actively interested in its work. Endowed by nature with those traits which make for success in life, he has employed the opportunities at his command with results that would be enviable were they not so evidently attained through honest work, guided by high principles.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WALTER W. SMITH.

Walter W. Smith, one of the native agriculturists of Henry county, who is conducting his father's farm of three hundred and twenty acres, lying on section 9, Osco township, was born in Western township, near the village of Orion, January 25, 1880. His parents are John F. and Mary Elizabeth (Smith) Smith, of whom extended mention is made in another part of this volume.

Walter W. Smith spent his boyhood days upon the home farm, and as he was the eldest of the six children born to his parents, he was early initiated into the work of the farm, assisting in its operation as soon as he was strong enough to handle the farm implements. After completing the course of study prescribed by the country schools he attended the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated with the class of 1899. He then went to Knox College, Galesburg, and after a three years' course returned to his father's farm, where he took up his Hfe work. To this place he brought his bride, about four years ago, and here he has since Hved. Although still in the early years of his manhood, Mr, Smith possesses those qualities that should make him one of the substantial agriculturists of his locality, for he has many things to his credit, being industrious, progressive in his ideas and not afraid to exert himself in the pursuit of the success which he hopes to attain.

While in college Mr. Smith became acquainted with Miss Velmya Donizetta Howlett, a daughter of Dr. G. C. and Sarah Elizabeth (Smith) Howlett. She was born and reared in Atkinson and attended the high school in Geneseo and at West Superior, Wisconsin. On the 5th of June, 1906, in Atkinson, were pronounced the words which made the young people man and wife, and their union has been blessed with two children: Karl, born in Geneseo, February 11, 1907; and Zona, born in Osco township, August 2, 1909.

Mr. Smith is a member of the English Lutheran church at Morristown, while his wife is an equally consistent adherent of the Congregational faith. Although he is interested in public affairs and keeps himself informed in regard to national issues, he does not give implicit allegiance to any party, for he prefers to decide upon the merits of each candidate and each question as it is presented to him. He is a zealous Mason, and is almost invariably present at the meetings of Stewart Lodge, No. 92, A. F. & A. M.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JARED HEMINGWAY SMITH.

Jared Hemingway Smith, who was numbered among the large land owners, successful business men and most highly respected residents of Osco township, was born in Harwinton, Connecticut, November 18, 1827, and was a son of Anson and Abigail (Holt) Smith.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JARED HEBER SMITH.

Jared Heber Smith, an enterprising farmer of Osco township, who in addition to the cultivation of the soil is extensively engaged in raising, feeding and shipping stock, owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 23. He was born on the 9th of March, 1870, just across the road from his present home, his parents being Jared Hemingway and Mary E. (Knowles) Smith, who are represented on another page of this volume. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the old home farm and in addition to the training received in the district schools benefited by two years' instruction in the high school at Cambridge and a year's study in the Geneseo Collegiate Institute and by further training in Bryant & Stratton Business College in Chicago. He had almost completed his course in the last named institution when he obtained a position as clerk in a wholesale house in that city and remained in the employ of the firm for about a year, after which he returned to his farm to assist his father. He has since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and is a representative of that progressive spirit which has been particularly manifest in agricultural circles in the last quarter of a century. In 1896 Mr. Smith married and purchased of his father eighty acres of land, for which he paid eighty dollars an acre. He has since extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchase and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres in Osco township and owns in addition three hundred and twenty acres in Wilkin county, Minnesota. That tract, like his farm in Henry county, is under a high state of cultivation.

On the 17th of June, 1896, in Grace church in Osco township, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Minnie May Hadley, who was born in Osco township. May 23, 1877, and is a daughter of David and Julia (Gillett) Hadley. Her girlhood days were spent in her parents' home and during that period she acquired a good education in the public schools. Eight children have been born of this marriage: Jared Heber, born April 8, 1897; Julian David, April 28, 1898; Thorwald Hadley, November 10, 1899; Frederick George, December 10, 1901; Richard Knowles, June 17, 1903; Majorie May, January 2, 1905; Janice Minerva, October 13, 1906; and Ruth Elizabeth, July 25, 1908.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are devoted members of Grace Episcopal church, in which Mr. Smith is serving as a vestryman. Politically he is a republican, with firm faith in the principles of the party but without desire for political office. He has served, however, as school trustee and is interested in progressive movements whereby the material, intellectual and moral advancement of the community is promoted. He enjoys pleasant relations with his brethren of the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Cambridge Lodge, No. 49, A. F. & A. M. His has been a well spent life in which energy, industry and determination have enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties in his path and work his way steadily upward. He is now numbered among the representative farmers of Osco township and as a citizen holds high rank.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE R. SMITH.

George R. Smith, one of the native farmers and dairymen of Osco township, whose home is on section 27, was born March 9, 1870, and is a son of Jared H. and Mary E. (Knowles) Smith. Reared at home to agricultural pursuits, he attended the district schools and later the high school at Cambridge, for two winters; supplemented by two winters' study at the Duncan Business College. On the completion of his education he went into partnership with his father under the firm title of T.. H. Smith & Son. They bought the stock of A.

A. Crane, who was engaged in the breeding of Hereford cattle, and for two years conducted a stock business. At the end of that period the partnership was dissolved and George R. Smith took up general farming, giving some attention to the feeding of cattle. He was successful beyond the average, for he spared no effort to keep abreast of the progress made in his line of work and in 1908 he purchased his first milking machine. It was at the time the first in Henry county and perhaps still enjoys the distinction. Mr. Smith has now bought three machines, with each of which he miles two cows, and is now able to milk his herd of thirty-five in about one and a quarter hours. This incident but serves as an indication of his attitude toward the advances that science has made in the agricultural world as in other fields, and when this frame of mind is joined with great industry and intelligence it is but natural that in the succeeding years Mr. Smith should attain to an enviable position among the farmers of his township.

In Munson township, December 30, 1894, were pronounced the words that made Mr. Smith and Miss Clara May Masch man and wife. She had been born in Henry county and is a daughter of Henry and Mary Masch. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, but one, Willard H., died in infancy. Those living are: Mary E., Anna E., George R., and Leita Naomi. The family are being reared in the faith of the Episcopal church, that to which Mr. and Mrs. Smith give their religious allegiance, and they attend the services of Grace church of that denomination. Politically, Mr. Smith gives his support to the candidates of the republican party, but he has never sought public office, though he has served as township clerk and justice of the peace.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GUY ELMER SMITH.

One of the best known firms of Henry county engaged in the breeding of high grade stock is that of Henninger Brothers & Smith, and of it Guy Elmer Smith, of Phenix township, is the junior member. He is a native of that township, bom January 24, 1888, and like his partners is still a young man but he brings to the business and its details an enthusiasm that helps to make the results successful;

He is a son of Allen E. and Tillie (Henninger) Smith. His father was born near Green river in Henry county, April 21, 1861, being a son of Darius and Margaret (Englehof) Smith. Darius Smith was a soldier during the Civil war and during his service contracted rheumatism, from which he died when only thirty-five years of age. Allen E. Smith died when his son, our subject, was only sixteen years of age, leaving a widow and this one child.

Guy Elmer Smith attended the common schools of his district, but about a year after his father's death he began living on section 30, Phenix township, with his maternal grandfather. His mother is still living. He was taken into partnership with his uncles, and the three young men have built up a good business. Mr. Smith takes charge of the exhibits at the various states fairs. In 1908 he took forty head of stock to the South Dakota state fair and had full charge of them.

In politics he is a republican, but like his partner, C. Arthur Henninger, does not take any active part in public affairs, for business makes too heavy claims upon his time and attention. All three young men are sturdy and reliable, and they have not only profited themselves by their operations, but they have taught stockmen what can be accomplished along the lines they are pursuing.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ELMER WARREN SMITH.

Elmer Warren Smith, manager of the Kewanee Light & Power Company and one of the most progressive young business men of the city, is a product of the farm, having been born in Galva township, April 22, 1872, and reared upon his father's place. He is a son of Warren B. and Mira (Smith) Smith, farming people. The father died in 1900, but the mother survives and makes her home in Kewanee.

Mr. Smith was educated in the schools of Galva and when nineteen years of age came to Kewanee, where he entered the employ of what was then known as the Kewanee Electric Light & Motor Company as fireman. So proficient was he, that promotion followed rapidly and the young man was advanced through all the various positions until he is now its manager. He has effected some remarkable changes, completely revolutionizing the plant and methods. When he entered the estabHshment the capacity was less than one hundred kilowatts. but it is now twelve hundred kilowatts. Even the name has been changed to the Kewanee Light & Power Company, and the plant includes the lighting, gas and electric, power and steam heating as well as the manufacture of ice. The company furnish more then fifty buildings with artificial heat in the business district, supplying about forty-five thousand feet of radiation. The entire development of this plant is due to the efforts of Mr. Smith after he became manager, and to him is due the credit of estabHshing the heating and ice-manufacturing plants. The latter was established in response to a demand on the part of the people of Kewanee in 1906 and it has a capacity of thirty-five tons per day and in addition to the trade in Kewanee, five small towns are also supplied with the product of this plant. Mr. Smith is a director of the company and has been for some years. The people of Kewanee cannot give him too much credit for the business foresight and keen appreciation of possibilities which have resulted in the upbuilding of this company, which not only affords luxuries at low prices but gives employment to a number of men and thus increases the commercial activity of the city.

On December 4, 1902, Mr. Smith married Miss Katie Woolley, of Wyoming, Illinois, a daughter of the Rev. William Woolley, pastor of the Methodist church. Two sons have been born to them: Ormond Thomas and Morris Walter.

Mr. Smith belongs to the Illinois Electric Association, of which he is now president; is a member of the Illinois Gas Association and the National Gas Association, which connections he finds of value in his business. He also belongs to the Commercial Club, of which he is recording secretary; to the Kewanee Club; and fraternally he is a member of the Elks and the Masonic order. Prominent alike in business, social and public affairs, he is a citizen at once popular and useful, filling with credit to himself and with satisfaction to others the multiform duties and obligations imposed upon his willing shoulders by those who recognize his talents and abilities and who appreciate what he has done for the community and for private investors.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRED L. SMITH.

Centuries ago the Greek philosopher, Epicharmus, said: "Earn thy reward; the gods give naught to cloth," and the truth of this admonition has been verified in all the ages which have since run their course. Early realizing this fact, Fred L. Smith resolutely set himself to the task of working his own way upward through diligence and perseverance, with the result that he is now proprietor of one of the leading shoe stores of Geneseo, having a trade that is constantly increasing. He was born in Lafayette, Illinois, June 22, 1862, and comes of an old southern family. His paternal grandfather was a native of Tennessee and became one of the earliest settlers of southern Illinois, taking up his above at Joliet, where he was a trade. He died when just past middle life, while his wife reached old age. They were the parents of five children, including William Smith, the father of Fred L, Smith. He, too, was a native of Tennessee and became a Methodist minister, connected during the greater part of his pastorate with the Rock River conference. He married Miss Lydia Harrington, a daughter of Mark T. Harrington, who was a native of Vermont and a farmer by occupation. Coming to the middle west, he cast in his lot with the pioneer residents of Geneseo, owning and cultivating a farm on the south edge of the town. He died here when more than ninety years of age and his wife had also traveled far on life's journey when called to her final rest. They were the parents of six children, including Lydia Harrington who, as stated, became the wife of the Rev. William Smith. In his church work the father of our subject was a man of wide information, his consecration and zeal making him a strong creature in the denomination. He passed away in 1890 and is still survived by his widow. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters: Lucretia

F., the wife of Joseph H. Simmons, of Rochester, New York; Lucy J., the wife of John Dunkle, residing near Los Angeles, California; Mary L., the wife of W. B. Foster, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Charles W., of Rockford, Illinois; Mark B., of Los Angeles, California; and Fred L.

Fred L. Smith was a lad of eleven years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Geneseo. His educational privileges were those afforded by the public-school system of the state, and later he engaged in bookkeeping for the Edward McCulloch Lumber Company at Little River, Kansas. He was next employed by the firm of Fain & Shock, of Sterling, Kansas, and was engaged in the shoe business in Lawrence, Kansas, for a year. He next went to West Superior, Wisconsin, where he engaged in bookkeeping for the Wentworth Heating Company and by the same company was sent to Great Falls, Montana. There he embarked in the same line of business for himself, continuing in the north until 1902, when he returned to Geneseo. The following year he invested his capital in a stock of shoes and now has one of the best equipped shoe stores of the city, carrying a large line of goods, for which he finds a ready sale owing to his reasonable prices, his fair dealing and his earnest efforts to please his patrons.

On the loth of April, 1895, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Emma E. Wilson, a native of Geneseo and a daughter of I. N. Wilson, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. They have become parents of four children: Maurine, Wilson, Florence and Laurel. Mr. and Mrs. Smith attend the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Smith gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He does not seek nor desire office yet is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and is a cooperant factor in many measures for the public good. He and his family reside on East Park street, and their home is noted for its warm-hearted and generous hospitality. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are widely known here and are greatly esteemed. In his business life Mr. Smith has made steady progress, utilizing each opportunity that has come to hand and at all times conforming to a high standard of commercial ethics.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.