My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published by Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

SMEAD, CHARLES K. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Manchester, Scott Co., Ill. Mr. Smead is a native of Vermont, born Aug. 30, 1826, and at the age of eleven accompanied his parents to Greene County, Ill., locating near White Hall, on Apple Creek prairie, where the head of the family followed farming up to the time of his decease; which occurred in 1840. One year prior to this the pioneer wife passed to a home not made with hands. Charles was then in his 14th year, and went to live with a neighboring farmer. He was to remain until his majority; he, however, remained but five years, as his employer gave him no advantages in the way of an education, to which his ambitious nature aspired. Proceeding to Jacksonville, Morgan County, he procured employment of Thomas Wiswall, where he received the advantages of a good common school education. Returning to Greene County, he entered the employ of Erastus Eldred, becoming busily employed on the farm during the summer, in the winter season attending school. In 1848, he proceeded to what is now the township 12 of range 10, where he taught school two years. In 1851, he married Miss Sarah G. Alverson, a daughter of Benjamin Alverson, by whom he had two children: Darius C. and Barkley. In 1854, Mrs. Smead was laid at rest in the county of Jersey. May 23, 1855, Mr. S. was married to Mrs. Mary Stowell, by whom he has three children: Laura, Herbert, and Edgar F. Mr. Smead is one of our most enterprising farmers, owning 140 acres.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 744 biographies included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Greene County, Illinois

View additional Greene County, Illinois family biographies here: Greene County, Illinois Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.