Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 703-704; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William C. Smith. Fulton County furnished its full quota
of noble men to the rank and file of the Union Army, among whom our
subject occupied an honorable place. He is now prosperously
pursuing agriculture in Farmers Township, where he has a farm
comprising one hundred and forty-three acres, upon which has been
erected a substantial, roomy residence, a good granary and such other
buildings as are needed on a modern estate.
Wayne County, Ohio, was the birthplace of Mr. Smith and the date
of his birth August 28, 1840. His parents, George B. and Maria
(Spangler) Smith, came to Illinois from the Buckeye State in 1856,
accompanied by their family of four children, of whom our subject was
the eldest. They spent the ensuing winter in Piatt and LaSalle
Counties, and in the spring of 1857 Mr. Smith came to Farmers Township,
this county, and for a number of years was engaged in farming as a
renter. He finally bought a tract of land and in the course of
years opened up a valuable farm, making all the improvements and adding
to it from time to time. Here his earthly career was brought to a
close, his death rounding out an upright and honest life. His
widow, who is now seventy-one years old, still occupies the old
homestead and has about fifty acres of land.
Our subject was one in a family of seven children, and he passed
his early life on a farm until the age of twenty-two years. At
that time the great Civil War was raging between the North and
South. He was intensely interested in watching its progress and
August 7, 1862, enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-third
Illinois Infantry, and was with his regiment until he was disabled by a
wound received in the line of duty. After his enlistment he went
to Peoria and in October, with his fellow-soldiers, was dispatched to
Cairo, where they took passage on a boat for Columbus, Ky. At the
latter place they embarked on a train for Jackson and Bolivar, and
thence went on a arid against the rebels in the direction of Holly
Springs. They afterward went on the Coffeeville march with Gen.
Grant, and in the spring went by steamer to invest Vicksburg, landing
on the banks of the Yazoo River and going from there to the rear of
Vicksburg, taking an active part in the campaign of that city.
After it fell our subject’s regiment went to Jackson after the rebel
Gen. Johnston, and had a hard fight in taking the place, assaulting the
works and taking them by storm. Our subject then returned to
Black River and in the fall of 1863 he was sent with his regiment to
reinforce the Army of the Cumberland and took part in all the
engagements to the taking of Savannah, Ga., among them being the
battles of Chattanooga, Buzzard’s Roost, Peach Orchard and the siege
and capture of Atlanta.
Mr. Smith was accidentally wounded by an axe in the hands of his
brother. They were cutting a tree, standing on the opposite
sides, when the axe slipped off the handle and sunk into our subject’s
left ankle making a very severe wound. He afterward accompanied his
regiment on the march to the sea and taking a boat went to Beaufort, S.
C., and landing there marched up the country and was present at the
surrender of Johnston. After that they proceeded to Richmond,
thence to Washington, where our subject took part in the Grand Review,
one of the finest military displays of modern times. He was
mustered out at Louisville, Ky., and sent to Chicago; here he received
his discharge papers July 7, 1865. He was in the army three
years, lacking one month, and his military record was that of a
courageous, loyal soldier, who did his duty in whatever position he
occupied regardless of the consequences to himself.
A very important event in the life of Mr. Smith was his
marriage, in 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Camron, their union being
celebrated at the bride’s home. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of
James and Elizabeth Camron, old settlers of this county. Seven
children have been born of the union of our subject and his wife,
namely: Samantha E., Lewis M. Mary Jane, Emma May, John A., Perry
and Charles. The latter three died when young. Samantha is
the wife of Henry Chenoweth.
Upon the farm where they now live Mr. and Mrs. Smith settled
about 1868, he having bought thirty-eight acres of it at that
time. He has added to it by subsequent purchase until he has one
hundred and forty-three acres of choice farming land, which is well
developed and supplied with substantial improvements, making it one of
the most desirable estates in the county. He votes with the
Republican party. Although devoting his time mostly to private
duties and not caring much for public life he has yet served
successfully as Commissioner. His principles are above reproach
and in him the Baptist Church finds one of its most sincere and upright
members.
