John F. Smith

As printed in 1910

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 History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.