My Genealogy Hound

SMITH, JACOB, farmer, Sec. 5, P.O. Rockbridge. Jacob Smith is a native of Greene County, born in 1828; tracing back this family we find that the grandfather of our subject Nicholas Cris, who was a native of France; like all of his race, of an adventurous disposition, he made his way to America, and settled in Greene County, as early as 1823, and here our subject was born in 1828; when the war came on he enlisted in Co. A, 61st Ill. Inf., and proceeding to the front, became a participant in the Battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Mission Ridge, Vicksburg, Pea Ridge, etc., etc.; at Shiloh he received a severe wound that caused the loss of one eye. Since the war he has lived in Jersey County and Greene County, where at one time in his agricultural career he became exceedingly prosperous. In 1856 he was married to Miss Phoebe Fleming, a daughter of John and Hannah Fleming; thirteen children blessed their union, one only surviving: Hannah, who resides at Jerseyville. Mrs. Smith died Feb. 21, 1871, was laid at rest in the Jerseyville Cemetery.