ARMSTRONG B. SMITH, is one of the successful and progressive farmers and stock-growers of Urbana Township. He is the third son of Jacob and Margaret (BEATTIE) Smith, and was born in Urbana Township, March 7, 1848. His parents were both natives of Kentucky, but removed to Champaign County in about 1840, and located on a farm near Urbana, where their son Armstrong was born and reared. When seven years of age, Armstrong was orphaned by the death of his father and consequently started out early in life to care for himself. He attended the district school, and later continued his education at the College of St. Joseph in Missouri. Returning home he engaged in farming for himself and in 1877 was married to Miss Mary E. FITCH, the daughter of Theodore FITCH, residing in this county, but formerly of Indiana, where Mrs. Smith was born.

After his marriage Mr. Smith settled on the Jane F. Roe farm, which he conducted successfully. Remaining there until 1883, he removed to his present farm, located on section 11, Urbana Township. This place contains 106 acres which, together with another purchase, makes in all 300 acres of choice land. He raises the finest breeds of cattle, horses and hogs. Every year he sells some fifty head of cattle. He keeps most of his stock on the Roe farm, which is well watered and in every respect adapted for the purpose. He devotes about sixty acres to raising wheat. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children living, Ralph and Charlie, and one died in infancy. Mr. Smith is active and energetic, and interested in all the public affairs of the county.310

16 July 1884 - “In the matter of the estate of Tarleton D. Truman, deceased, John T. Truman was appointed administrator who qualified as such. Paris Shepherd, David M. Smith and A. B. Smith were appointed apraisers. The day of appraisement in said estate was fixed at 3rd Monday in September.311, July 16, 1884

“Owing to the bad roads and some of the trains being delayed, the jurors summoned were not able to be present. The roll was called and the following responded: M. J. Spencer, W. C. Custer, Nelson Diviney, John Rogerson, Robert James, A. B. Smith, Robert M. Rea, James H. Bainum, C. C. Harris, D. W. Paige, John Glant, Peter Youngersfelt, E. Cook, Mathew Fenwick ad E. Duggan.311, January 13, 1886

“Boy is Injured by Automobile—The five-yeard-old son of Harry Swearingen, 911 East Waater street, this city, was slightly injured at 3 o’clock Friday afternoon when he ran into the street at 806 East Main street, from in the rear of a Champaign Ice Cream company truck and struck the rear of an automobile being driven by Bate Smith of Champaign.

“Smith swerved his car nearly across the street to avoid hitting the boy. All attempts to locate a physician for some time after the accident were futile. It finally was learned that the child was not seriously injured.”312, 6 July 1926, Front Page, pg. 1

“’Bate’ Smith is Near Death from Stroke—A. B. Smith, familiarly known as “Bate” Smith, suffered a stroke of paralysis at his home northeast of Urbana, this morning, and he is in a critical condition as a result. He was unconscious thruout the day.

“Mr. Smith is one of the oldest residents of this community and is a native son.”312, 21 October 1927, pg. 5

In the name of God, Amen.

I, Armstrong B. Smith of the City of Champaign, in the County of Champaign and State of Illinois, being of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life, do therefore make, ordain, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, that is to say-

First- It is my will that all my lawful debts of every kind, character and description including my funeral expenses and the cost of administration of my estate, shall be fully paid and discharged by my executor hereinafter named. The residue of my estate, real, personal and mixed I hereby give, bequeath and dispose of as follows:

Second- I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary H. Smith, the income, rents and profits of all the farm lands that I die seized of, for and during her natural life, but she shall pay all taxes on said land during her life and all expenses of the up-keep of the said farms.

Third- Subject to the life estate of my said wife, therein I give, devise and bequeth unto my beloved sons Ralph Smith and Charles B. Smith, all the land that I die seized of in Section two (2) and section eleven (11), Town nineteen (19) North, Range Nine (9) East of the 3rd P. M. in Urbana township, County of Champaign and State of Illinois, and the same shall be their absolute property forever, in fee simple, share and share alike therein.

Fourth- subject to the life estate of my said wife, therein, I give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved sons, Frank R. Smith and Earl H. Smith, all the lands I die seized of in section twelve (12), town Nineteen (19) North, range Nine (9) East of the Third P.M. in Urbana Township, County of Champaign and State of Illinois, same to be their absolute property forever, in fee simple, they to share and share alike therein.

Fifth- It is my will and I hereby direct that my executor hereinafter named shall have the power to sell the real estate that I may die siezed of, situate in Ojibway, Canada, and he is hereby fully empowered to sell and convey the same without any order of court, at public or private sale, for case or on time as in his judgment may seem best, and for such price as he may deem best, and empower him to execute and deliver good and sufficient deeds of conveyance therefore as fully as I might do if living.

Sixth- The proceeds of the sale of said real estate situate in Ojibway, Canada and any and all property, real, personal and mixed that I may die seized of, I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my said four beloved sons in fee simple, Ralph Smith, Charles B. Smith, Frank R. Smith and Earl H. Smith, to be equally divided between them, to be their absolute property forever.

Seventh- Likewise I hereby revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made, and I do hereby constitute and appoint my said beloved son, Ralph Smith to be executor of this my last will and testament, and reposing full and complete confidence in him I request that he be permitted to act as such executor without bond.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 22nd day of December, a.D. 1920 at Urbana, Ill.

Armstrong B. Smith SEAL

The above typewritten instrument was subscribed by the said Armstrong B. Smith in our presence and acknowledged by him to each of us, and he at the same time published and declared the above instrument so subscribed to be his last will and testament and we at the testator’s request, and in his presence and in the presence of each other have signed our names as witnesses hereto, and we and each of us hereby certify that the said Armstrong B. Smith at the time of signing said instrument was of sound mind and memory and under no restraint or constraint whatsoever, and we have caused to be written opposite our respective names our respective places of residence.

Albert E. Tremper Urbana, Illinois
John J. Rea Urbana, Illinois

Codicil to will of Armstrong B. Smith

Whereas I, Armstrong B. Smith, of the City of Urbana, in the County of Champaign and State of Illinois, have made my last will and testament in writing, bearing date of 22nd day of December, A.D. 1920 in and by which I have given devised and bequeathed to my sons, Ralph Smith and Charles B. Smith certain lands therein mentioned in Paragraph third of my said will, and it is my will and intention and I do hereby add to such paragraph the words and figures following to-wit:-

“It is my will, desire and intention that my said sons Ralph Smith and Charles B. Smith, shall pay any and all encumbrance of liens on said lands so given to them at the time of my death..”

It is my will that all of Item Fourth of my said will be eliminated from said will and the following words and figures substituted therefor:- “I give, devise and bequeath all the lands I die seized of, in section 12, township 19 North, range 9 East of the Third P.M. in Urbana township, County of Champaign and State of Illinois to my beloved son, Earl H. Smith to be his absolute property forever in fee simple, and my said beloved son, Frank R. Smith is not to received any of said lands because he has already received his share of the value of said described lands in other property. My said beloved son, Earl H. Smith, is to pay all encumbrance of every kind against the land herein so given him.”

It is my will that with the exceptions herein made my said will as originally drawn is to remain in full force, virtue and effect.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 13th day of September, A.D. 1924.

Armstrong B. Smth SEAL

The above typewritten instrument was subscribed by the said Armstrong B. Smith in our pesence and acknowledged by him to each of us and he at the same time published and declared the above typewritten instrument so subscribed to be a codicil to his last will and testament, and to be taken as a part thereof, and we at the testator’s request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have signed our names as witnesses hereto, and written opposite our names our respective places of residence, and we certify that at the time of executing said codicil we believe that the said testator was of sound mind and memory and under no restraint or constraint whatsoever.

Dated at Urbana, Illinois, this 13th day of September, A.D. 1924.

Thos. J. Corkery Urbana, Illinois
Lawrence B. Couberly Urbana, Illinois
John J. Rea Urbana, Illinois

Filed Nov. 18, 1927
Fred Hess
Clerk of the county court.

STATE OF ILLINOIS) In the County court of said county
ss
Champaign County ) In Probate, November Term, A.D. 1927
In the Matter of the Last Will and Testament:
of Armstrong B. Smith, deceased.

Albert e. Tremper and John J. Rea subscribing witnesses to the annexed instrument in writing, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Armstrong B. Smith, deceased, late of the County and State Aforesaid, personally appeared in open Court, and each being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that they were present and saw the said Armstrong B. Smith sign said Will in their presence and that said testator acknowledged the same to be his act and deed; that they signed said instrument as witnesses at the request and in the presence of said testator, and in the presence of each other; that they believed and do now believe that said testator was of sound mind and memory, of lawful age and under no constraint at the time of signing and acknowledging the same.

Subscribed and sworn to in open Court, this 21 )
day of Nov., 1927 ) Albert E. Tremper
Fred Hess )
Clerk of county court. ) John J. Rea

Filed Nov. 21, 1927
FRED HESS
Clerk county court.

STATE OF ILLINOIS ) In the County Court of said County
ss
Champaign County ) In Probate, November Term, A.D. 1927

In the Matter of the Last will and Testament: and condicil of
Armstrong B. Smith, deceased.

Thomas J. Corkery and John J. Rea subscribing witnesses to the annexed instrument in writing, purporting to be the Last Will and Testament and Codicil of Armstrong B. Smith, deceased, late of the County and State Aforesaid, personally appeared in open Court, and each being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that they were present and saw the said Armstrong B. Smith sign said codicil to said Will in their presence, and that said testator acknowledged the same to be his act and deed; that they signed said instrument as witnesses at the request and in the presence of said testator, and in the presence of each other; that they believed and do now believe that said testator was of sound mind and memory, of lawful age and under no constraint at the time of signing and acknowledging the same.

Subscribed and sworn to in open Court, this 21st )
day of November, 1927 ) Thomas J. Corkery
Fred Hess )
Clerk of county court ) John J. Rea

Filed Nov. 21, 1927

Fred Hess
Clerk of county court

WILL ADMITTED NOV. 21, A.D. 1927

“WILL OF “BATE” SMITH ON FILE—The will of Armstrong B. Smith, better known as “Bate” Smith, Champaign county pioneer who died recently at his farm home northeast of Urbana, was filed for probate today. The estate is valued at $36,000, consisting of $35,000 in realty and $1,000 in personal property. There is a codicil attached.

“The widow, Mary H. Smith, receives the income from all property during her life time and, according to the terms of the will as originally drawn, the four sons were to share the property after her death. Ralph and Charles B. dividing all land in section 11 and Frank R. and Earl H. dividing all in section 12, Urbana township. The four sons also are to share the proceeds from the sale of a farm near Ojibway, Can.

“The codicil, drawn nearly four years after the will was made, stipulates that Ralph and Charles B., pay the incumbrance on the land they inherit gives all the land in section 12 to Frank R., eliminating Earl H., for the reason that he had since received his share of the estate in other property.

“The will is dated December 22, 1920 and bears the signatures of John J. Rea and Albert T. Trumper as witnesses. The codicil, dated September 13, 1921, bears the signatures of John J. Rea, Thomas J. Corkery and Lawrence B. Conherly.”312, 18 November 1927, pg. 1

“SMITH WILL LEAVING WIFE $36,000 ESTATE IS FILED WITH CLERK—The will of Armstrong B. Smith, who died October 25, was filed yesterday in the office of Fred Hess, county clerk, leaving an estate in real and personal property of $36,000. The entire estate, including all income, rents, and profits earned from the property was left to Mrs. Mary H. Smith during her life.

“Secondary legatees, named in the will as beneficiaries at the death of Mrs. Smith are the four sons, Ralph, Frank, Charles, and Earl.

“At the death of Mrs. Smith the property is to be divided among Ralph, Charles, and Earl Smith. A codicil, written four years after the original document withdrew the name of Frank Smith as a secondary legatee due to the fact that his share in the estate has already been received.

“All the money from the sale of land owned by the deceased in Ojibway, Canada, will revert directly to the sons, the instrument stated.”313, 19 November 1927, pg. 3

“He and Mollie were married December 24, 1876. At that time they lived in a log house located where I-74 goes through the farm. Grandmother told of a rattlesnake coming through the chinking of the cavin when their first son, Ralph, was a baby. In our day, Grandfather would be known as an entrepreneur. He purchased land when it was inexpensive and developed it into farmland and held it. He purchased land near Amarillo, Texas as it was being plowed the first time and sold it a year later with enough profit to build the buildings on the farm in Champaign County. He also purchased additional land east of Urbana. He became a respected livestock dealer and had a corral across the road from his home where he held the stock until he accumulated a carload. He sold early woven fences which were woven on site on the farm. Of course, there was no electricity then, so Grandpa started selling gas light systems including the piping, fixtures, and the gas generator which made a fuel gas by combining carbide and water. I think the gas was acetylene.”

“Grandfather Bate had four living brothers. They were William Henry, James Nicholas, David Middleton, and Jacob Mirvin. He had three living sisters. They were Elizabeth Hester who never married and Eliza Ann who married Henry Turner, and Sarah Margaret who married William Shroyer. I think the Turners moved to Iowa but Shroyer descendants probably live in the Urbana area. James fought in the Civil War and served in the siege of Vicksburg. Uncle David married Clara Fitch who was a sister to Bate’s wife.”

“Bate, Dave, and Mervin were part of a group of young bucks including Jim Springer and Curly Elliiott.

“James Nicholas had a daughter, Eva, who married Frank Littler. The Littlers moved to Colorado and had sons Hubert, Herbert, and Harold and a daughter, Ruth.

“As the sons grew older [Dave, Bate, Merve], they apparently became somewhat exuberant frontier youngsters. As mentioned earlier, they, along with Curly Elliott and Jim Springer, became perhaps ovr-exuberant. There was not much in the way of towns as we now know them and of course there were no movies, telephone, radios or TV. Entertainment sometimes consisted of parties held in remote country cabins or homes, and admission was charged. This gang joined together and accumulated a hundred dollars which they had converted into a hundred dollar bill. That was a lot of money in those days and the partygivers didn’t have the money to make change. As a result the boys got in free several times until someone finally got enough change together to spoil the boy’s fun.”

“One story concerns a party where the boys were having a drink beside the fireplace. One of the gang looked up and observed a crack in the loft floor. A couple was engaged in lovemaking up there and the lady’s bare bottom was visible through the crack. A hot poker from the fireplace went through the crack and pandemonium broke loose.

Another story involved a party where a fight broke out. The boys wound up oustside heaving clods, rocks and other objects into and against the cabin. After exhausting all available projectiles, they lowered Uncle Merv into a well or cistern and held him by the heels while he tossed out the bricks lining the well for the others to use as ammunition. After that or some similar episode, I was told that Uncle Merv went to Missouri and stayed until the heat was off in Illinois.

Grandfather Bate attended a business school at the College of St. Joseph in Missouri. I think that an uncle of his named Armstrong or Armstrong Beattie invited him to come and attend the school. I believe that the Uncle was a banker and I suppose that he hoped Bate would join him in business with him. Regardless, my son Walter has the solid walnut desk that Bate studied on in Missouri.

There are many stories about Grandfather Bate. His life went from horseback to automobile, but he never really caught on with the car. He had a heavy foot, but he thought cars should stop when you helled “whoa!”, especially if accompanied by “dammit!”.314

“Paralysis is Fatal to “Bate” Smith—A. B. Smith, familiarly known as “Bate” Smith, one of this communities oldest and most prominent farmers, died this afternoon at his home two miles northeast of Urbana, as the result of a stroke paralysis, suffered last Friday morning.

“Mr. Smith was near death thruout the day on which he suffered the stroke, but rallied the following day and it was thought his life might be prolonged, altho there was no hope of recovery. A turn for the worse came yesterday, however, and he sank rapidly until the end.

“Mr. Smith was born Marcy 7, 1848, on the old Smith homestead, near where his death occurred, and had lived all his life in this vicinity. Surviving him are his widow and four sons, Ralph, Charles B., Frank and Earl, all in this vicinity, two brothers, D. M. Smith of this city and Mervin Smith, east of this city.

“The decedent was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge.

“Arrangements for the funeral have not been completed.”312, 26 October 1927, Pg. 2