Served in Civil War - Company B, 76th Illinois Infantry

James N. Smith, a prominent farmer of Urbana Township, is the oldest son of Jacob and Margaret Smith, and was born in Champaign County, Nov. 20, 1836. He received a common-school education, and at the same time a thorough and practical training in all the details of farming. His father was one of the pioneers of Champaign County, and at that time farm hands were scarce and very difficult to obtain, consequently the boys were required to work early and late. In those days school facilities were of secondary importance and the advantages for book-learning were at best very limited. But the discipline of hard work and systematic application to business is an excellent educator, and made of our subject a self-reliant man.

James N. Smith remained with his parents on the farm until the age of manhood, when he married Miss Lizzie, daughter of Caleb Williams, and began farming for himself until the war broke out. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. B, 76th Ill. Vol. Inf., and took part in the seige of Vicksburg, the battles of jackson, Miss., Ft. Blakely and many other engagements. On one occasion he received a severe shock from the explosion of a shell, which rendered him unconscious for several hours. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service. On his return from the army he settled on his present farm, which is one of the finest in the township. It contains 240 acres with a fine, handsome residence and substantial farm buildings. Mr. Smith is an enterprising, energetic man, and is quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, giving his attention specially to the best breeds of cattle and hogs.

The four children of the household are Ellis, Eva, Bertie and Mervin. Jacob Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Shelby county, Ky., in March, 1805, and was the oldest of ten children, the offspring of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Potter) Smith, natives of Germany. He was married in 1833 to Miss Margaret J., daughter of James and Hester (Fulton) Beattie. Her paternal grandfather was a native of Scotland and emigrated to America, before the Revolutionary War. The parents of Mrs. Smith died in Boone County, MO. Of their family of ten children, but four lived to maturity. After Jacob Smith came to Champaign County, he settled on the land which is now included in the homestead, and where his widow resides. His death occurred in 1854. The Fulton branch of Mrs. Smith's family was of English origin and settled in Washington County, Va., where she was born in 1814. She is now in the seventy-third year of her age, is quite active in mind and body, and is held in high esteem by all who know her.310

Stroke?

1870 Federal Census - Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois
-James, age 30 - farmer
-Elizabeth, age 24
-Clarence, age 2
-Smith, Tarbert, age 18 - farm laborer

1880 Federal Census - Urbana Township, Champaign County, Illinois
-J. N., Head, age 43 - farmer
-Elizabeth, wife, age 27
-Clarence, son, age 11
-Evangeline, daughter, age 9
-Bertha, daughter, age 6
-Mervin, son, age 4

1900 Federal Census - Urbana Township, Champaign County, Illinois
-James N., Head, born Nov 1836, age 63 - farmer
-Mary, wife, born Sep 1850, age 49
-Clarence, son, born Feb 1872, age 28 - farm laborer
-Bertha, daughter, born May 1875, age 25
-Effie, daughter-in-law, born Oct 1873, age 26
-Eva, daughter, born Oct 1883, age 16
-Mary, granddaughter, born June 1893, age 6
-Troy, grandson, born Jan 1895, age 5

1910 Federal Census - Watertown Township, Sanilac County, Michigan
-James N., Head, age 74 - farmer

1920 Federal Census - Berlin Township, St. Clair County, Michigan
-Smith, Mervin, head, age 44 - farmer
-Grace, wife, age 40
-James N., son, age 18
-Florence H., daughter, age 16
-Robert C., son, age 14
-Grace P., daughter, age 5
-Floyd M., son, age
-Charles D., son, age one month
-Smith, James N., father, age 88

SMITH RITES HELD

Funeral rites for James N. Smith, who, after a short siege of paralysis, died Last Wednesday morning in his home in Capac, Mich., were held at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon at the E. H. Renner Funeral Home. Mr. Smith was buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery.313, 28 September 1926, pg. 5