Smith, William bio

History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious, Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co., Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 512, Bernadotte Township
William Smith, farmer, sec. 34; P. O., Ipava; was born in Pennsylvania March 6, 1827, from which place he moved to Ohio in 1829, where he remained till 1848, when he came to this State. Here his mother died and he returned to Ohio, but came back to this State soon after and settled in this county. He was married to Miss Hester E. Hopkins in 1860, in Astoria tp., and nine children have been born to this union, seven of whom are living. Has an 80-acre farm. Though belonging to no church, Mr. S. is a professor of religion, while his wife is a member of the M. E. Church. Greenbacker.

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 757-758; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
William Smith. The farming interests of Bernadotte Township are ably represented by this gentleman, whose practicality, sagacity and thrift have brought him to the front as a farmer and stock-raiser.
Mr. Smith was born in Cumberland County, Pa., March 6, 1827. His parents were also natives of the Keystone State. He came to Ohio with his parents when two years old. In 1837 he came to Effingham County, Ill., and cast in his lot with its pioneers, remaining there until 1839. He then returned eastward as far as Knox County, Ohio, where he made his home until 1852. In that year he came again to Illinois, and this time settled in Fulton County. He bought a farm of eighty acres in Vermont Township, which he rented to his brother-in-law, James Irwin, while he went to work by the month on a farm the ensuing two years. He went back to Ohio in 1854 and was there until 1858. Coming to Fulton County again he worked by the month until his marriage, October 21, 1860, to Ellen E., daughter of Dr. G. V. and Ellen Hopkins, who reside in Woodland Township.
Soon after marriage our subject rented a farm of ninety acres in Farmers Township, paying cash rent for three years. The first year he paid at the rate of $3 per acre; the second year, $2.75 an acre and the third year at the rate of $250 an acre. In 1863 he bought a farm of two hundred acres on section 34, of which he is still the proprietor. He has disposed of a part of it and how has a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty-three acres, all under excellent improvement and well cultivated. There is a good set of buildings on the place and an ample supply of reapers, mowers, and such machinery; he has a first-class Minneapolis twine binder, an all other machines necessary for carrying on a good farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had ten children, of whom eight are living. Their record is as follows: Margaret O., born July 17, 1861, married William Rowland and they live on their own farm of eighty acres on section 24, Bernadotte Township; Mary Ann, born September 2, 1862, died in infancy; Laura E., born September 7, 1863, married John Roland, Principal of the Lewistown Normal School; Phoebe A., born October 30, 1865, married Henry Rowland, and they live in Bernadotte Township; Frances V., born February 28, 1868, lives at home; William and Henry (twins) born, September 21, 1870, the former dying February 4, 1873; John D., born September 31, 1872 {note: there is only 30 days in September}, Garret B., July 10, 1876, Nellie H., February 28, 1884; the last four are at home with their parents.
Our subject is a man of sterling principles and all his acts are guided by a high sense of honor and unswerving integrity. He is a true Christian, though not connected with any church organization, and is well liked and respected by all who know him. He is temperate in all things, has prohibition tendencies, is very much opposed to tobacco in any shape or form, and has the support of his good wife in his views. He has given his township faithful service as School Director.