Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 143

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 143

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SMITH, Andrew V., a retired farmer residing at 2014 East Washington street, Springfield, was born in Knox County, Tenn., April 27, 1839, hls parents being natives of Virginia and Tennes- see. He is one of six children who were born to William M. and Ann (Greer) Smith, who lo- cated in Tennessee after marriage, but later moved to Decatur, Ala., where the father dled, being survived by his widow and four children.

Andrew V. Smith, who was the third child, grew to manhood in his native State, receiving a common school education and belng reared to farm work, which he followed on his own ac- count in later life. On December 20, 1860, he married Mary E. Hart, daughter of George and Ellen (Akens) Hart, a native of Monroe County, Tenn., born July 23, 1841. After spending about four years in Blount County, Mr. Smith and wife came to Greene County, Ill., in 1864, and five years later, in the fall of 1869, went to Arkansas, coming back to Cooper Township, Sangamon County, in 1874. Here they engaged in farming. Mr. Smith became the owner of 283 acres of good farming laud in Cotton Hill Township, and one of the most successful farm- ers of his part of the county. He erected sub- stantlal buildings and worked with untiring energy to improve hls land and bring it to a state of high cultivation. He took an active interest In public matters and served as School Director and in other offices, being always ready to advance the interests of the community. He and his wife joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1876, and both were earnest workers in its interest. Mr. Smith is a Republican in

political belief. Mrs. Smith died September 1. 1910, at the present home and her remains were interred in Burkhart Cemetery, Sangamon County. While Mr. and Mrs. Smith had no chil- dren of their own, they reared the three chil- dren of his brother Arthur, who had died and left them. Alice, born October 30, 1870, mar- ried Robert Ayers, lives on the Smith farm, seven children,- Goldie, Andrew, Arthur, Wil- liam R., Elmer, Ray and Velma M .; William, born December 14. 1872, lives in Douglas Coun- ty, Ill., married Susle McDonald, no issue; Ni- cholas A., born August 19, 1876, married Bertha Abel, and lives on part of the Smith farm, one child,-Hazel. To Mr. Smith these children are just as his own, and as they have never known another father, they love him as though he were their actual parent.

Probably no family In Sangamon County is more entitled to special mention in a work of this character than that of Andrew V. Sinith. Always public-spirited, he has certainly done his duty, and is now enjoying life in a retired way. Ile is no longer actively engaged in farm-

ing, having retired in 1907, but still owns his farm in Cotton Hill Township. He erected a handsome residence at 2014 East Washington street, recently purchased a $6,000 home on Seventh street, and also has other city property. He is well known as an upright and public- spirited citizen, and has many friends in Spring- field.

SMITH, Charles Harvey (deceased) .- The late Charles Harvey Smith, of Springfield, was born near Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., August 9, 1862, son of Grandlston and Melissa (Mas- ters) Smith, natives of Illinois, the former born near Jacksonville. The father was an extensive farmer and stockman, and after being educated in the schools of his native county, Charles H. Smith helped his father on the home farm for many years. In 1895 he moved to Springfield aud entered the employ of the Cudahy Packing Company in that city. He subsequently entered the employ of Schwarzschild & Sulzberger, in a simllar line. He had also worked for a time for the Hammond Packing Company, in Spring- field. He was a shrewd and active business man, caring for the interests of his employers as he would his own.

Mr. Smith was married, at Jacksonville, Au- gust 25, 1881, to Miss Nannie Sparks, born in Macoupin County, Ill., July 27, 1861, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Harp) Sparks. Thomas Sparks was born in Tennessee and came to Mor- gan County as a young man, finding but one log house where the city of Jacksonville now stands. His wife was born at Jacksonville. Children as follows were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith : Edith, unmarried, lives with her mother; George Parnell, marrled and living in Missouri, has two children-Thelma Florence and Earl Parnell ; Catherine Maud, unmarried and living in Springfield ; Ethel Fay, unmarried, living at home; and Lorraine, Charles K. and Beatrice M., in school. Mrs. Smith owns the family resi- dence at 1508 East Brown Street, Springfield.

Mr. Smith died at the home now occupied by his widow, July 1, 1904. and his remalus were buried at Pisgah, Morgan County, Ill. He was deeply mourned by his family and many friends, and left the reputation of an upright, honor- able life. He was a member of the Baptist Church and in political views was a Democrat. He cared little for publle life or honors, being absorbed by his business and domestic affairs.

SMITH, DeWitt Wickliffe .- In every community are men who stand out as examples of the high- est type of intelligent and publle-spirited citizens, who are not only willing to work for the better- ment of the community or State, but who also have the ability and requisite ambitlon to carry their plans into execution. Such a man is Hon- orable DeWitt Wickliffe Smith, who has spent his life In Sangamon County, Ill., and has for many years been a resident of Springfield. MIr. Smith was born December 13. 1844, on his

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

father's farm, eleven miles west of Springfield, in what is now Cartwright Township.

His father, Joseph Smith, was born in Loudoun County, Va., October 29, 1792, the son of Temple Smith, born in Virginia, April 4, 1744, and his wife, Lydia (Lane) Smith, born in Virginia in 1751, both of whose ancestors were among the earliest English settlers of Virginia and Maryland. He came with his father's family to Harrison County, Ky., in 1800. On April 9, 1822, Joseph Smith and Sally Taylor were married near Frankfort, Ky. Sally Taylor was born in Gallatin County, Ky., November 22, 1807, the daughter of Rev. John Taylor, born in Fau- quler County, Virginia, October 27, 1752, and his wife, Elizabeth Kavanaugh, born in Virginia, June 18, 1761, John Taylor being of Scotch and Elizabetlı Kavanaugh of Irish descent. The Rev. John Taylor was a preacher of the gospel in Virginia and Kentucky for more than sixty years. In 1823, was published his "History of Ten Churches," being the annals of ten Bap- tist Churches which had been under his ministry, which is one of the most notable and interest- ing histories of church extension during the pioneer days of Kentucky.

To Joseph Smith and his wife were born in and near Frankfort: Temple. born January 18, 1823, drowned January 2, 1833; John Taylor, born March 6, 1825, married in Springfield, Ill., March 27, 1850, to Soplila Ridgely, died Jan- uary 25, 1892 (see his name and family group in this work) ; Joseph Sidney, born July 21, 1827, served as a soldier in the Civil War (1861-65), with the rank of Major, In the Tenth Illinois Cavalry, was a prominent and useful citizen of Sangamon County, and died unmar- ried, in San Antonio, Tex., April 9, 1902; Eliza- beth Jane, born January 21, 1830, died October 1, 1901, married, December 8, 1852, David Allen Brown. After the family moved to Illinois in the year 1834 there were born : Bradford Temple, born January S, 1840, died in infancy ; DeWitt Wickliffe, born December 13, 1844.

Joseph Smith entered the mercantile business as a clerk, at the age of fifteen years, in Paris, Ky., and at the age of twenty-one established hlinself as a merchant In Frankfort, Ky., the capital of the State. He remained in business seventeen years. but during most of the time resIded on his farm, "Llangollan," near Frank- fort. Wishing to remove his children from what he believed to be the evil influences of slavery, he came to Illinois to view the country in 1834. and purchased a considerable tract of land in the western part of Sangamon County. Return- ing to Frankfort, he sold out his mercantile business and his farm home, but withi char- acteristic business prudence, retained his lands in Harrison and Daviess Counties until the day of his deatlı. Central Illinois was in 1834, a somewhat uncertain proposition, and there was a current proverb of that time to this effect : "It is good riding at two anchors, inen have told, for If the one fail, the other may hold." After settling his family in Sangamon County,

Mr. Smith engaged again in the mercantile busi- ness in Springfield with his relative, Col. James M. Bradford, as a partner, but until the close of his life in 1853, he spent the greater part of his time in improving and developing his lands, and In frequent business trips to Ken- tucky.

While on one of these trips, In the year 1844, he was nominated and elected, by the Whigs of the Sangamon District, to the Illinois Legls- lature, being then, for the first and only time in his life, a candidate for office. He was, how- ever, an active and ardent Whig in politics, and was a personal friend of IIenry Clay, with whom he enjoyed a close intimacy for many years.

Mr. Sınith was a man of good education and fine mental endowments, much given to habits of study and thought, and of unusual business sagacity. When he departed this life he left his family not only well provided for in worldly goods, but with a far richer heritage in the memory and precepts of a father who had done good and not evil ali the days of hls Ilfe, and whose children could, with just and commendable pride, rise up and call him blessed. Mrs. Sally Smith survived her husband nearly forty-two years, going to her final reward in April, 1895, in the eighty-elginth year of her age, and until a few hours before her death, in the possession of all her physical and mental powers. It was sald of her, and of the wonders that had come to pass during her lifetime: "She was a wife and a mother when the first railroad pas- senger train made its initial run, and was twenty-four when the first Lucifer match was manufactured. Five years later, in 1833, she might have been a passenger on the first steam- ship that ever sped from America to Europe. Slie was thirty-five when the electric wire flashed the first message from Washington to Baltimore. Since then have come in bewildering rapidity the more modern inventions, such as the telephone, the electric light, the phonograph, and a liost of other appliances of science which are con- sidered necessary to our busy life. Through all these marvelous years she passed sweetly, se- renely and graciously, a blessing to all who were so fortunate as to come within the charmed circle of her inspiring influence."

DeWitt Wickliffe, the sixth and last child of his parents, was born on his father's farm, eleven miles west of Springfield, in what is now the eastern part of Cartwright Township. After the death of his father in 1853, he came with his mother to Springfield, where he at- tended the private schools of Rev. Francis Springer and the Rev. John F. Brooks ; he after- wards attended the old Illinois State University (now Concordia Coliege), and for two years the Springfield High School. In 1863-64 he took a business college course and training in Chicago and in St. Louis.

On September 1, 1864, he was married to Miss Adelia . McConnell, who was born near Spring- field, February 22, 1845, daughter of Andrew

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

B. McConnell and his wife, Augusta Saulsbury McConnell. Mr. McConnell and his wife were both born in the State of New York. Mr. McConnell was one of the charter members of the Illinois State Board of Agriculture, years was for many its Vice President and Its President; was Sheriff of Sangamon County for four years, and held other po- sitions of honor and trust. After hls marrlage, Mr. Smith settled on his farm in what is now New Berlin Townshlp, and there were born to him and his wife the following children : Sidney, born February 17, 1866, married October 8, 1894, to Gertrude Lapsley, of Kansas City, Mo., is now living near Bayliss, Ill., and has no children ; Eliza Adelia, born December S, 1867, married October 29, 1890, Henry M. Pindell, of

Peoria, Ill., where they now reside, and their children are-Frances Adella and Elizabeth Au- gusta ; Temple DeWitt, born January 2, 1870, died unmarried Mareh 19, 1893; Augusta, born September 18, 1875, married Jaunary, 1899, to Charles V. B. Carroll, of Springfield, Ill., where they now reside, aud have one child, Edith.

Mr. Smith lived on his farm, "Boskymead," for twenty-six years, during which time he was somewhat extensively engaged in farming, in breeding pedigreed livestock, and in cattle ranching in Wyoming and Montana. He was connected with various agricultural and live- stock associations, and by reason of these con- nectlons and a membership for several terms of the Illinois Legislature, was instrumental in securing the euactiuent of varlous State and National laws (of several of which he was the author) designed to promote and protect the great farming aud livestock Industries of the country, industries upon which, more than all others, the welfare of the people is dependent. While having other business interests, he has been at all times proud to stand up and be counted as a Sangamon Connty farmer. He was for nine years President of the Illinols Na- tional Bank, and for twelve years Vice Presi- dent of the Ridgely National Bank, of Spring- field, and has held varlous other positions of responsibility and trust. In 1890. he moved back to Springfield where he has since resided, at 625 South Second Street.

On February 19, 1895, Mr. Smith married (second) Gertrude Moore, born in Cincinnati, Ohio. December 23, 1873. the daughter of Wil- liam Eaton Moore and his wife, Mary Bishop Moore. both of whom were born In Cineinnatl. Mr. Moore, while he lived in Cineinnati, was engaged with his father, William H. Moore, in the book publishing business. He afterwards had varions business interests here and on the Pacific Coast. In July, 1907, he became serlonsly iil in San Francisco, Cal., and with his physi- cian started on the overland journey, hoping to reach his home and family, but he died within sight of his home, but before reaching it. Hls widow, with her daughters, Willa and Mrs. (Jeanette) Russell Yates, reside at the family

homestead in the southwest suburbs of Spring- field. To DeWitt Wickliffe Smith aud his wife, Gertrude Moore, have been born : Mary Temple, born November 12, 1898; William Lane, Feb- ruary 22, 1900; Elizabeth Wilde, March 12, 1902, all of who are now attending school in Spring- field.

SMITH, Edward William, formerly employed many years in the rolling mills of Springfield, has lived retired for several years. In his younger days he provided for old age by Industry and thrift, and now has a comfortable home at 1307 Mounment Ave., Springfield. He was born in County Cavan. Ireland, May 14, 1847, a son of Arthur and Mary (Leonard) Smith, natives of Ireland. The mother died In Ireland and the father afterwards moved to England, where he Ilved several years with his son Edward, and also lived for a tline in Scotland. He was a farmer by occupatlon.

As a boy Edward W. Smith attended the pub- lic schools of his native county, and after his father moved to England the son worked on the farm. The young man afterward worked in the iron works at Northumberland and afterward became employed by the Armstrong Gun fac- tory, the largest plant of the kind In the world. where he spent three years. He also spent a few years working In English mines and llved for a time In London. In 1881 he sailed from Liverpool for America, landing In Quebec and proceeding from there to Toronto. where he worked nine months on a farm. He then went to Hamilton, Canada, and after spending a year there emigrated to the United States. He worked three years in the rolling mills of Wyan- dotte, Mich., then for a few years worked In steel mills south of St. Louis, whenee he moved to Edwardsville, Ill., and worked two years in the mines, went from there to Carlinville, and shortly afterwards to Springfield, which has since been his home. He worked several years in Springfield rolling mills, also worked in the city water works, but some years since retired. He has resided in the same house more than twenty years.

Mr. Smith was married, December 15, 1874, in Northumberland County, England, to Ellza- beth Cornell, who was born in Durham County. Her father started for Australia, but the vessel on which he embarked was lost and no one on board was again heard from. His widow moved to America and lived for same time in Wyan- dotte with her daughter, and also came with Mr. Smith and his wife to Springfield, where she died in 1893. Six children were born to Mr. Smith and his wife, namely : Mary, wife of Noah Roll, of Springfield, where he holds the office of Constable; Catherine, wife of William Smith, an employe of the Illinois Watch Company ; Mar- garet, wife of Charles Smith, a carpenter by trade; Arthur, of Springfield ; and John, living at home. Mr. Smith also has four grandchildren. Mrs. Smith died March 17, 1898, having been a dutiful wife and mother, and was sincerely

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

mourned, not oniy by her family, but by a large circie of friends.

Mr. Smith is a Repubiicau in politics and fra- ternaiiy is a member of the United Americans. He is much respected as a man of stability and uprightness of character, and a usefui citizen of his adopted couutry.

SMITH, Eibert S .- Memories of the two great- est iawyers Iiiinois ever knew-Abraham Lin- coin and Stephen A. Dougias-cluster around the city where they once made their homes. While Springfield would, as a matter of course, have become prominent as the seat of the State Government, the fact that these two mighty men iived there and practiced their professiou in the shadow of the State House, ceutered at- tention upon this city, brought men to it, and assisted very materiaiiy in its development. It is aiso true that the profession followed by these two men is one that has attracted uiany young men who have been desirous of foiiow- ing in their footsteps. Elbert S. Smith, former State's Attorney, aud a resident of Springfieid since 1881, was born in Summit County, Ohio, March S, 1847, a son of Richard T. aud Louisa (Herrick) Smith. The ancestors of Mr. Smith located in Connecticut, and one of them came to New England in the historic Mayflower. His grandparents moved from Connecticut to Ohio in a very early day, settiing in the wiids of the Western Reserve, and there his father was reared, amid pioneer conditions aud privations. A brother of the grandfather hauied the first printing press from Pittsburg to Cieveiand, be- ing a man of resourcefulness and ability.

Like many of his predecessors, Elbert S. Smith taught school while studying law and graduated from Wiiioughby (Ohio) Coiiege, foi- lowing which he went to Champaign County, Iii., aud in 1874 engaged in the practice of his profession. He came to Springfield in 1881, to accept a position in the Attorney General's of- fice, under James McCartuey, and aiso heid a simiiar position under Attorney Gencrais George Hunt and H. J. Hamiin. Being one of the most active exponents of the Republican party in his part of the State, Mr. Smith became its candidate for State's Attorney, and was eiected in 1896, being the first Republican eiected to that office in Sangamon County. Dur- ing his incumbency Mr. Smith ever endeavored to meet every requirement of his position. Never did he show favor to either side, and he was fearless in his prosecutions, bringing to justice those who were guiity, regardless of what their rank or how influentiai they might be. On the other hand, he never permitted his naturai sympathy to weigh with him, but was guided entireiy by his realization of the duties of his office. In safe-guarding the people, he dispiayed his ability as a lawyer and his con- scientiousness as a man. Few public officials of any locality have irad as spotiess a record as Mr. Smith, and it is difficult to imagine any im-

provement iu the management of the affairs of his office, as he conducted them.

Mr. Smith is a member of the Ancient Frec and Accepted Masons, and is aiso a member of the Odd Fellows and the Woodmeu. A Prot- estant in religion, he attends the Methodist Church, iu company with his wife. His mar- riage occurred at Geneva, Ohio, when he was united with Jennie E. Kiusiey, daughter of Rev. Hiram Kiusley, a Methodist minister aud a member of the Erie and Ohio Conferences. Mr. aud Mrs. Smith have had three chiidreu : Sidney B., a farmer of Sangamon County ; and Elda aud Eiberta, both at home.

SMITH, George (deceased), who spent his en- tire active iife iu mining operations, was for some years before his death a mine manager iu Saugamon Couuty, lii. He was a useful, pub- lic-spirited citizeu, performing weii his duties iu public and private iife, aud enjoyed the good- wili and esteem of aii who came into contact with him. Mr. Smith ieft a widow and severai childreu to mourn his ioss, and his memory is tenderly cherished by aii the members of his family. He was born in Engiaud, October 3, 1837, son of John and Mary (Homsbey) Smith, both natives of Eugland, where the father worked in the mines. The parents were both reared iu Engiand, where both died, the father about 1900 and the mother about 1897. They were parents of seven sons and two daughters, the oniy survivor being a daughter living in Australia, who is the wife of Adam Gray, a stockholder in goid mines there.

George Smith was educated in the public schools of England and iived with his parents untii his marriage. He took up mining as an occupation early in iife, and because fuily in- formed in the various methods and processes of carrying on the work, finaily becoming a miue manager. He came to America about 1874, and for four years was engaged in mining at Riv- erton, Ili. He spent eight years in similar oc- cupation at Dawson, and then spent thirteen years iu Springfield, taking up mining stock there and in Ciear Lake Township. He came to the place now occupied by his widow in 1897, and iived there until the time of his death.

Mr. Smith was married, in Durham County, England, in July, 1863, to Anna Todd, boru Jan- uary 23, 1838, daughter of John and Anna Todd, who spent their entire lives in Engiand and died many years ago. Mrs. Smith has one brother who lives in Henry County, Iii., and is engaged in farming. Four sons and one daugh- ter were born to Mr. Smith and his wife, uamely : Raiph, at home; James, iiviug lu tine country ; Oliver; George, living in Bisseii, and Lizzie, at home. Mr. Smith died March 12, 1910, and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery. He was a devout member of the Methodist Church, and in politics was a Repubiican. Fra- ternaliy he was a member of the Order of For- esters and the Loyai Americans. His widow

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now owns the comfortable home where they re- sided for many years, and owns forty acres of fine farming land.

SMITH, George H .- A large number of the soi- diers of the Civil War, upon returning home, directed their energies towards farming, con- tinuing thus through succeeding years, until ultimate success permitted them to retire. Some of them were never without a painful re- minder of the days when they were the nation's only hope, but this did not deter them from bearing their part in life, and too much honor cannot be accorded them. One of the represen- tative veterans of Sangamon County is George H. Smith, now living retired at Dawson, near which Is located his fine farm. He was born in Springfield, July 15, 1841, being a son of John L. and Rebecca (Cummings) Smith, both born in Kentucky.

The parents came to Illinois at an early day, first locating east of Springfield, where the father entered some land from the Government and conducted it for several years. Later he moved to Logan County, Ill., buying a half sec- tion near Elkhart, and farming this until his death, which occurred in January, 1890, hls widow surviving until 1895. There were six sons and seven daughters in the family, of whom six children now survive: Robert L., of Lake Fork, Ill .; William A., of Des Moines; Sarah marrled John Myers, of Mt. Pulaski; Mary married John Coyle, of Missourl ; Clara married Charles Da- vis, of Canada ; and George H. The family has aiways been patriotic, the grandfather having been a soldier in the Revolution, while the father served during the Black Hawk War, and young George H. Smith grew up prepared to defend his flag whenever there was need of him.

The education, of Mr. Smith was received in Logan County, and until the outbreak of the war he remained with his father on the family farm. Eager to prove his loyalty, Mr. Smith enlisted in the fall of 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Elkhart, under the command of Captain John Shockey, serving ail through the remaining years of the great struggle, and participating in many engagements. He was mustered ont at Little Rock, Ark., and honorably discharged at Springfield. Returning home after a short stay in Sangamon County, he resumed his farming, continuing thus for twenty years, when removal was made to the vicinity of Dawson. Still later he retired to Dawson, where he owns a com- fortable residence, and can take an interest In his farm, which is stili In his possession.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 143

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774