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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