JOHN S. SMITH, living in Dakota Township, is a man of English descent, and has won success by his own exertions, assisted by his intelligent and amiable wife. The grandfather of Mr. Smith was a native of England, and emigrated to this country, possibly after marriage; at any rate his wife was an English lady. After settling in Franklin County, the grandfather captured a young bear and made a pet of it, but after it became matured it grew ferocious, and getting loose one day squeezed its captor so that he was seriously injured, and never recovered from the effects of his injuries, dying shortly afterward. His wife was left a widow with her first child yet unborn, but being happily delivered of it christened it James Gordon, left the child with some friends, and went back to England to look after an estate that she was interested in. Whether she was lost at sea or not is not known, but she was never heard from again.

The young orphan child, James Gordon, was brought up by a gentleman in Franklin County, Pa., Joseph Crankelton by name. He grew to be a worthy citizen, and married Betsy Sibert. She was born and reared in Franklin County, and was of German descent but American parentage. To James Gordon Smith and wife were born seven children, of whom our subject is the second child, there being four sons and three daughters. Those now living are our subject and two sisters. The parents late in life went to Knox County, Ohio, and lived there the rest of their lives. At the time of their death they were aged eighty-four and fifty seven years respectively. They were members in good standing of the Lutheran Church, and the father was a Democrat.

Our subject, Mr. John S. Smith, grew to manhood in Franklin County, Pa., and was there married, Oct. 24, 1839, to Miss Catherine Frazier. Mrs. Smith was born and reared in Bedford County, and is the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Zigler) Frazier. They lived and died in Pennsylvania, and were for years keepers of a hotel in Bedford County, where they both died at a good old age. Mrs. Smith, their daughter, was born and reared in Bedford County, Pa., and there lived until her marriage. She is a mother of seven children, and is a woman of extremely forceful character. Of the seven children, one named after his grandfather, James G., is deceased. The living children are: William, who is a stock-raiser and farmer, is married and lives in Dakota Territory; Orlando resides in Nebraska; Elizabeth is married, and lives in Shelby County, Ill.; John F., who is married, is a lumber dealer in Dakota, Dakota Township; Franklin B. is married, and lives on a farm in Lancaster Township; and Anna is living at home, a young lady of charming graces, whose social qualities make her a bright ornament in the community.

Mr. Smith, after his marriage, lived four years in Knox County, Ohio. In the fall of 1844 he came to Illinois, and locating in Lancaster Township, purchased large possessions there, and made it his home until after the war. Then he came to his present place, where he has lived ever since, his son, J. F., taking up the active duties of life and permitting his father to retire. Mr. John S. Smith owns a tract of land of 300 acres, all lying together in Lancaster Township, and all well improved. He also owns five lots in Dakota. Himself and family are members of the Lutheran Church. He is greatly admired on account of his business qualities, which have won him a competence, and with the various interests of the township he has been closely connected. Politically, he votes the Democratic ticket.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), Pg 646