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HERBERT S. SMITH. An honorable position among the agriculturists of Spring Garden Township, Jefferson County, is held by the gentleman above named, who is the possessor of one hundred and twenty acres on section 10. The well tilled acres are devoted to raising mixed crops and the ordinary amount of stock, both grain and animals being of good quality. The estate is improved with the various outbuildings, and the manner in which it is kept indicates to the passer-by that the land is occupied by a family of enterprise and good judgment. Our subject is a native of the township in which he is living, and was born May 4, 1855. Of the parental family of ten children, only seven are living. Those besides our subject being: Harriet, Mrs. A. Knowles; Florence, the wife of F. M. Knowles; Kirby,an engineer in Mt. Vernon; Anson C., who resides in Moore's Prairie; Nora, the wife of R. D. Raone; and Cora, Mrs. William Rohrer, of Guthrie, Okla. The parents of our subject were Jesse H. and Eliza (Bliss) Smith, the former of whom was born in Tennessee in 1823, and who accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois when a lad of seven years. They located in Spring Garden Township, where the father spent his entire life. He was therefore one of the earliest settlers of this region, and when ready to commence farming on his own account, entered a tract of land from the Government, from which he developed a good farm and on which he resided until his decease, in June, 1892, when sixty-eight years of age. He was one of the enterprising and representative men of his locality, and at one time was Coroner and Sheriff of Jefferson County. He was also Supervisor and Assessor of Moore's Prairie Township, and was very influential in church affairs, being a prominent member of the Baptist Church. In the community where he so long made his home he was widely and favorably known, and in the history of his adopted county he occupied a high place. Mrs. Eliza (Bliss) Smith, the mother of our subject, was born in Vermont, and came west with her parents when a young girl. She was the daugher of Noah Bliss, who on coming to Illinois made his home in Jefferson County. Mrs. Smith died many years ago, when in her thirtieth year. Grandfather Isaac Smith was a native of North Carolina and fought as a soldier in the War of 1812. He settled in Tennessee when quite young, and in middle life came to Illinois, where he was one of the pioneers and where he lived to an advanced age. H. S. Smith, of this sketch, attended the district school of Moore's Prairie Township, and when reaching his majority, located upon the farm, where he lived for ten years. About that time his marriage with Miss Eleanor Gano took place. The lady was the daughter of Richard and Messaline (Fugate) Gano, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Smith was one in a family of four children, of whom those living besides herself are: Daniel and William, both of whom are residing in Nebraska. Soon after his marriage, our subject purchased the farm upon which he is still living in Spring Garden Township, and which comprises one hundred and twenty acres of well tilled land. In politics he votes with the People's party. He is a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and earnestly endeavors to practice in his daily life the grand principles in which he believes. He has always manifested a great interest in local affairs, and in 1890 was elected Supervisor of his township, of which position he is still the incumbent.
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton,
Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer