JOSEPH J. SMITH, of section 8, Pea Ridge Township, is a native of North Carolina, having been born in that State, Chatham county, February 25, 1843. His father, Relliff Smith, was also born in the same county, December 4, 1810, being a son of Jonah and Patsy Smith. He married Nancy Dorsett, came to Illinois in 1851, and settling in North East township, Adams county, where he purchased land, becoming the owner of 180 acres of good land. He later removed to a farm near Clayton, and resided there until 1890; then as he had sold his farm to our subject, he began to make his home with his son, and has continued with him ever since. His wife died in 1875. They had three children.

Joseph was reared on a farm, and resided at home until he grew to manhood. He was married in the fall of 1861, to Elizabeth May, daughter of Benjamin May, daughter of Benjamin May. She was a native of North Carolina. Mr. May and his wife, Mary (Harris) May, were natives of the same State as their daughter, Mrs. Smith. They came to Illinois in the fall of 1846, settling, first in Mt. Sterling, where the father rented land for three years. He then removed to Pea Ridge township, where he first rented land and then purchased ninety acres in section 16, which was partially improved. Here he has since resided, becoming the owner of 280 acres of land. He still owns 150 acres. He dates his birth back to 1818. He had ten children, eight of whom grew up.

Joseph resided at home after his marriage until the death of his mother. In the fall of 1889, he removed to Brown county, and purchased his present farm of 159 acres of land, fifteen acres of this is planted with as fine an orchard as is in this part of the State. This farm is a very good one in every way, as it ought to be, as Mr. Smith has always followed farming, and so ought to know how to develop his land. He deals largely in the culture of small fruits and has been very successful with them.

Mr. Smith's father was a blacksmith by trade, and pursued his trade in his native State. This work had no attraction for Joseph, however, and so he turned his attention to farming, with very satisfactory results, as his nice farm with the two sets of farm buildings testifies.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have no children. Mr. Smith is a Republican, but like his father before him he has refused any office. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, of Clayton. They are very estimable people, and enjoy the respect of the whole community.