My Genealogy Hound

JOHN D. SMITH, a prosperous general agriculturist and successful stock-raiser residing upon one of the best farms in Randolph County, in township 7, range 6, has for two decades been identified with the advancement of his present home interests, and, widely known, is highly esteemed for his business ability and sterling integrity of character.

The father of our subject, David Smith, was born in Pennsylvania, his father bearing the same name. He came with his father to Monroe County, this state, in an early day and assisted in clearing a home out of the wilderness. They resided here some time before the latter passed from this life. He was a teacher by profession, a hatter by trade and a very successful man in his business affairs. David, Jr., gained his primary education in his native state, and after coming to Illinois was engaged for some time as a stage-coach driver. He was married to Miss Fannie Lylie, and later, in 1844, he, with his family, removed to Missouri. But remaining in that state only two years, he again came to Illinois and located in Chester, following the trade of a butcher, besides carrying on general farming and stock-raising to some extent. He died about 1878, while his good wife is still living and makes her home in Chester, at the advanced age of seventy-four years.

Born January 18, 1842, in Monroe County, Ill., our subject is the eldest in a family of five children born to his worthy parents. He was brought to Randolph County when but two years old, and here received his limited education. He assisted his father in the butcher’s business when a lad of ten years, and on attaining his majority was given a half-interest. This partnership continued until the death of the father, when our subject conducted the business alone until 1889. Some years before this, however, Mr. Smith bought a fine farm and on the above date located thereon. He has since been engaged in its cultivation, and here he is carrying on mixed farming, paying considerable attention to the raising of fine stock. He prepares his own feed by steaming it, preferring this to the raw. The Union Creamery is situated on Mr. Smith’s farm, in which he is one of the principal stockholders. It has been running only about two years, but is one of the leading establishments of its kind in the county, handling about thirty-five hundred pounds of milk per day.

Mr. Smith was married in October, 1863, to Margaret E. Aldridge, a daughter of Amasa and Roxana (Gray) Aldridge, natives of Massachusetts. Their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, one of whom died in infancy. The living are: Channing, who married Daisy Douglas and resides on a farm near his father; Chester, who is engaged in the Clarion office at Chester, and married Annie Paulis; Eunice, Bertha, Harry, Gertie and Edna. The last-named are yet under the parental roof. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Church, while Mr. Smith is not identified with any denomination. Socially, our subject is a member of Lodge No. 276, A. F. & A. M., at Chester, and is a stanch Democrat in politics.