WILLIAM S. SMITH, was born in Pittsylvania county, Va., Oct. 2, 1826, and is a son of William S. and Martha A. (Creary) Smith, his father a native of South Carolina, his mother a native of Virginia. They moved to Kentucky in 1828, where they remained about two years, and in the fall of 1830, came to Scott county, Ill. There William was reared, and was brought up to farm life. His father died there in 1851. In 1852, William journeyed overland to California, where he remained four years, being engaged in the lumber business. In 1856, he returned to Scott county, where he resided until 1858, when he came to Greene county, and purchased 240 acres of land on Secs. 2 and 11, in T. 12, R. 13. Mr. Smith was first married to Thisuba J. Smith, and by that union there were two children, of whom one is living - Sarah, wife of Field Fielding, residing in this county. Mr. Smith was again married, in 1862, to Sophronia A. Edwards, and by that union there was one child - Hernon, who lives at home. Mrs. Smith died in 1863, and was buried in Scott county. In 1865, Mr. Smith was again united in marriage with Jane Day, a native of Scott county, Ill. Mr, and Mrs. Smith are the parents of six children - Rebecca A., deceased; Littie, deceased; William H., Bonnie, Tuny, and Elsie; those living, all residing at home. Mr. Smith is a well-to-do farmer, being the owner of 982 acres of land on sections 2, 3, 10 and 11, in what is now Patterson township. He is engaged in the raising of stock and grain, in which he has been very successful. He has been connected with the schools of his district as director, and is one of the most enterprising and highly esteemed citizens of the community in which he resides.