“’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

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