James SMITH, of La Prairie township, is a worthy
representative of that hardy race whose love for their own land
– “bonnie Scotland” – never dies. The habits and customs of the
race have a peculiar fascination, and however widely separated
from their own land, the true Scotchman never loses his interest
in it. As citizens of the new world, there are none better, and
no section of the country but has a hearty welcome for these
people.
The first to locate in this section of Illinois
from Scotland was George SCOTT, who located in the northern part
of Peoria county, near the Marshall county line, in 1836 or
1837, near where the McLAUGHLINs now reside. He came from
Dumfriesshire, Scotland, but after a residence of about ten
years returned to his native land and there died. Mr. SCOTT was
an uncle of our subject.
The second family to locate here
was that of William SMITH, the father of James. His wife was
Romina SCOT, a sister of George SCOTT. They came to this
locality in 1840 from Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and settled at
“Hardscrabble,” Steuben township, on a farm belonging to John
HAMMETT. The farm was on the prairie adjoining the timber. Here
William SMITH lived for three years, dying in the spring of
1843. His family consisted of three sons and one daughter –
William, James, Andrew and Mary. The latter married Robert
TURNBULL, of La Prairie township, and died some years since.
William yet resides in La Prairie township, and is a highly
respected farmer.
Some five years after the death of the
father the family removed to the school section in La Prairie
township, and together improved the farm on which James SMITH
now resides. One by one they each went to farms of their own in
due time. Andrew remained at home with his widowed mother and
tenderly cared for her until her death, August 13, 1886, when
nearly eighty years of age. He never married. His own death
occurred September 25, 1890.
Andrew SMITH was an active
and thorough-going business man, attending strictly to his own
private affairs and never thrusting himself upon the attention
of others, but was always ready to aid with his influence and
means all projects for the material interests of his adopted
county and nation. In the establishment of the woolen mill at
Lacon he was an active participant, and together with Archibald
RIDDELL became the heaviest stockholders and served as a
director, retaining his interest in the manufactory until his
death. He was also one of the original stockholders in the Lacon
bank, and for years was one of its board of directors. As a
farmer, he ranked among the best in Marshall county, everything
around him betokening thrift and a watchful eye. There was no
detail of the farm work that he did not give his personal
attention to, and as a stock raiser he was eminently successful
and for some years annually fed many head of cattle and hogs.
His investments were all carefully made and few mistakes were
ever made by him. In addition to his landed interests in
Marshall county, he invested in land in Iroquois county, which
he had improved and which he still owned at the time of his
death. A liberty loving man, on the organization of the
republican party he became a strong advocate of its principles.
His death was deeply lamented by a large circle of friends and
acquaintances.
James SMITH first saw the light of day in
Dumfriesshire, Scotland, May 9, 1825, and came with his parents
to the United States when but fifteen years of age. He remained
at home and was in partnership with his brother until his
marriage, March 14, 1858, with Miss Lucy CANTERBURY, a native of
County Wicklow, Ireland, who came to this country when a young
miss. She was a daughter of William CANTEBURY, who settled in
Marshall county about 1855, some three years prior to her
marriage.
Shortly after his marriage, Mr. SMITH secured
one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 9, La Prairie
township, for which he paid nine hundred dollars. To this farm
he removed with his young bride, and there lived until just
before the war, when he purchased a partially improved farm
adjoining, of one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid
nine thousand dollars. Here they resided until 1892, when he
removed to the old home of his brother Andrew, who had died two
years previously.
Mr. SMITH still retains his farm on
section 9, consisting of one half section, and also owns a
quarter section on section 5, Steuben township, which he has
rented. The old farm he personally superintends. Like his
brother, James SMITH has been a successful farmer and wise
manager, giving personal attention to every department of farm
work. He was also one of the first stockholders in the woolen
mill, and also in the bank at Lacon, and has been a director in
each. The former has not been a very successful institution
financially, but the latter has always paid reasonably well.
Mr. SMITH has not confined his attention exclusively to
Marshall county, but has invested largely in Vermilion county
lands, owning there about nine hundred acres, divided into four
farms, which he leases to other parties. His faith in the land
of his adoption is evidenced by his investments.
Mrs.
SMITH, who was of excellent character, a loving wife and mother,
passed to her reward February 20, 1878, leaving a family of five
children, three dying in early childhood. The living are Fanny
G., now the wife of Lewis CALDER, who resides near the old home
farm; Mina, wife of Charles MONIER, a son of William MONIER,
well known throughout Marshall and adjoining counties; Mary B.,
Sarah, and Lucy, all at home. The latter is a music teacher in
Kendall College, Muscogee, Indian Territory. She was educated in
and is a graduate of Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois.
In politics, Mr. SMITH is a thorough and uncompromising
republican, and while caring nothing for the honors of local
office, has served at different periods for several years as
supervisor from his township. He has also served in other local
offices and represented his county in various county
conventions. A continuous resident for over fifty-six years in
Marshall county, our subject has gone in and out among its
people, at all times enjoying the confidence and respect of all.
Coming to this country a poor boy, without friends, by his
industry and careful management he has become possessed of much
of this world’s goods, and his success in life should be an
incentive to all struggling youths and an assurance that the way
to prosperity is open to every one.
Extracted April 2011 by Norma Hass from The Biographical Record of Bureau, Marshall and Putnam Counties, Illinois, 1896.
James SMITH is one of the venerable citizens of Marshall
county, having attained the age of eighty-one years. He is,
moreover, one of the most extensive landowners of the county,
his possessions aggregating sixteen hundred acres. His extensive
holdings are the visible evidence of a life of thrift and
enterprise, for all that he possesses has come to him as the
reward of his energy and perseverance. He was born in
Dumfriesshire, Scotland, May 9, 1825. His father, William SMITH,
was likewise a native of Dumfriesshire, and was married in that
country to Miss Wilmina SCOTT, who was also born there. He came
to the United States in 1840 and established a home in Steuben
township, Marshall county, but afterward removed to Peoria
county, where Mr. SMITH carried on general farming. He voted
with the republican party, and died in 1843. His widow survived,
and died in 1882 at the home of her son Andrew when she was
eighty years of age. In the family were three sons and one
daughter: William, now a retired farmer living in Sparland;
James, of this review; Andrew, who was born in 1827 and died at
the home of his brother James in 1891; and Mary, who married
Robert TURNBULL, whose sketch is found elsewhere in this work.
Mr. SMITH, whose name introduces this record, spent the days of his youth in the land of hills and heather. He attended school there and in 1840, when a youth of fifteen years, accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, his first home in this country being in Steuben township. He began farming on his own account in 1848, and throughout his entire life has carried on agricultural pursuits. The record of his business is one of ceaseless toil, carefully directed labor and of unfaltering enterprise. He started out empty-handed, having no capital nor influential friends to aid him, but he carefully saved his earnings and in due course of time made investment in property. He has since added to his holdings, until he is now the owner of eight hundred acres in Marshall county and over eight hundred acres in Vermilion county, thus gaining a place among the wealthy residents of this part of the state. He is now the only living original stockholder of the Lacon First National Bank, and is also a stockholder in several banks in different parts of the state.
In 1856 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. SMITH and Miss Lucy CANTERBERRY, who was born in the town of Rathdrum, in the county of Wicklow, Ireland, and who departed this life in 1878, leaving five children: Fannie, who is now the wife of Louis KELTER, a farmer of La Prairie township; Wilhelmina, the wife of Charlie MONIER, who is- also farming in La Prairie township; Mary B., at home: Sarah, the wife of Charles COLLINS, a farmer of La Prairie; Lucy, at home; Hettie and Alda, both deceased; and Willie, who died in infancy. Mrs. SMITH is a member of the Episcopal church.
Mr. SMITH is a republican who has given inflexible support to the principles of the party since its organization. He acted as supervisor during the war and several other times was elected to that office until he finally refused to serve any longer. He has also been road commissioner and school director for a number of terms. His life record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be accomplished by determined purpose and unfaltering energy. It proves that success is not a matter of genius as held by many, nor does it depend upon fortunate circumstances and environments. It may be achieved through close application and unfaltering diligence and it has been upon that foundation that Mr. SMITH has built his prosperity until he is now one of the wealthiest residents of the entire county, his possessions being equaled by few, if any, of the inhabitants of this district. Moreover, in all his relations he has been honorable and upright and thus bears an untarnished name.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
