JAMES M. SMITH, whose farm of two hundred acres is pleasantly situated in Linder township, about three miles from Carrollton, has been a resident of Greene county since March, 1863. He was born in Knox county, Tennessee, August 31, 1847. His father, John Smith, was also a native of Tennessee, and the grandfather, William Smith, was born in Belfast, Ireland. The former was reared in the state of his nativity and was married there to Nancy Golston, whose birth occurred in that state. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Knox county, Tennessee, and eight children were born to them there. In 1863 they removed to Illinois, settling in Greene county, where the father spent his remaining days.

James M. Smith went to Greene county when a youth of sixteen years and he remained under the parental roof until he had attained adult age. He had a fair common school education and was thus well equipped for life's practical duties. When he had reached manhood he rented a tract of land and began farming on his own account. In 1884 he made his first purchase of land, becoming owner of two hundred acres where he now resides. This he began to cultivate and improve and has since carried on the work of the farm with excellent results, being now one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community. He has improved his residence, has built substantial outbuildings, and has equipped his farm with modern accessories and the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He raises wheat, corn and other cereals, and he also raises and feeds stock, annually fattening and shipping about two carloads of cattle and two carloads of hogs. He makes a specialty of pure blooded Poland-China hogs.

In 1874 in this county Mr. Smith was married to Miss Fannie Landis, who was born in Greene county and is a daughter of William Landis, one of the early settlers of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Smith now have six children: Arthur, who is living at Carrollton; Harry, at home; Nina, the wife of Herbert David, editor of a paper at Winchester, Illinois; Grace, Laura and Philip S., all at home.

The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Smith is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Carrollton. He votes with the Republican party and has never faltered in his allegiance thereto since casting his first ballot for U. S. Grant in 1868. He has never sought or desired office for himself, but served on the school board for six years. His residence in Greene county covers more than four decades, during which time he has done his full duty as a citizen, being a public-spirited man, interested in whatever tends to promote the general welfare. His business career has also been crowned with success and proves that prosperity may be attained through well directed and persistent effort.