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KIRBY SMITH, City Engineer of Mt. Vernon, was born December 12, 1860, twelve miles southeast of this city, in Jefferson County. His father, Jene Hassell Smith, was born in Hickman County, Tenn., September 14, 1823, and was the son of Isaac Smith, a native of Baltimore, Md. The latter in turn was the son of an Englishman, who, with his brother, came to America about 1760, and was granted land by the Crown situated in the city of Baltimore, Md. He enlisted for service in the Revolutionary War and lost his life in that memorable struggle. The grandfather of our subject and the father of Gen. Kirby Smith were brothers. Isaac Smith was a soldier in the War of 1812 and in the Black Hawk War. His trade was that of a cooper. In 1802 he went to Tennessee and settled where the city of Nashville now stands. There he married Miss Millie Hassell, a member of one of the leading families of the state.In 1855 he came to Illinois, and with his warrants from the War of 1812 located a tract of land at Monroe Prairie, Jefferson County, where he remained until death. He was a man of more than ordinary education aud great force of character, and was highly regarded by his associates. The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation and was prominent in local politics, serving as County Commissioner and also as Sheriff of Jefferson County. He died January 4, 1892. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Eliza Jane Bliss, was a native of Montpelicr, Vt., and was a member of a family whose history in this country dates back to the landing of the "Mayflower." Her parents were early settlers of Jefferson County. Of a family of ten children, our subject was the seventh in order of birth. Eight of the number grew to mature years. Harriet E. is the wife of A. Knowles, a farmer of Jefferson County, who has served as Supervisor, Collector, and in other local offices. Lyman Baxter Smith was a farmer and died in 1880. Florence E. became the wife of F. M. Knowles, an agriculturist of this county, who has been a member of the School Board, Assessor and County Supervisor. Cora Adelia, the wife of William Roher, lives in Guthrie, Okla. Elnora D. is the wife of Robert D. Rone, a farmer of this county. Anson Clark, the youngest of the family, has held several local offices in Monroe Prairie, where he is a farmer.In the common schools our subject acquired the rudiments of his education, which was completed in Ewing College, he being graduated from that institution in 1882. During the following year he was engaged with the Toledo, Texas & Rio Grande Railroad as locating engineer, after which he taught a term of school. In the fall of 1884 he was elected County Surveyor of Jefferson County, in which position he served for two terms and then declined re-election. Afterward he was appointed City Engineer of Mt. Vernon, and has since filled that office efficiently. He also conducts a real-estate and abstract business. In 1888 he was a delegate to the Democratic State Convention, and is prominent in that party. Socially, he is identified with the Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
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