McDonough ILGenWeb

SMITH, W. H., who is successfully engaged in farming in the vicinity of Good Hope, McDonough County, Ill., — where he has lived about twenty years, — was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, in 1846, a son of Jacob and Mary (Wolfe) Smith, both of whom were natives of the State of Pennsylvania. The occupation of Jacob Smith was that of a farmer, and this he followed for a long period with reasonable success in Ohio, to which State he had moved, from Pennsylvania at an early day. He was the father of ten children, and a man of diligent habits and upright character.

W. H. Smith received his early mental training in the common schools of Coshocton County, Ohio, and when he had nearly reached his majority (in 1865), journeyed to Illinois, where he applied himself to farming in Sciota Township, McDonough County. A short time afterwards, he bought a farm there. In 1870, he moved to Iowa, and there purchased a farm, which he cultivated for two years. Then returning to McDonough County, he purchased a farm in Emmet Township, situated on the line between that and Sciota Township. On this farm he made improvements and carried on farming until 1887, when he sold the property and moved to his present location, where he occupies rented land. His farming operations now cover I62-1/2 acres, and he devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock. In 1862, Mr. Smith served in the Eighty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry for a term of one hundred days.

In 1868, in Emmet Township, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Eliza E. Monger, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Adam and Sidney (Johnson) Monger, natives of Ohio, who settled in McDonough County, Ill., in 1854, locating on what is still known as the Monger farm in Emmet Township. Mr. and Mrs. Smith became the parents of six children, namely: Arthur and Edgar, both of whom are residents of Emmet Township; Charles W., who lives in Sciota Township; Harvey and Alvah, whose home is in Rock Island, Ill., and Pearl, who is a member of the home circle.

In religious belief, Mr. Smith is a Methodist, and fraternally, is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. As a farmer he is careful and systematic, and his operations are productive of the best results. As a citizen, he takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, and may always be counted on to do his full share in promoting the best interests of the community.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 1004, extracted 30 Jul 2020 by Norma Hass.