ELISHA SMITH. The gentleman who resides on the fine farm located on section 25, North Otter Township, is a son of Moses Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania. His mother was Pamelia Aiken in her maiden days, and a native of North Carolina. Our subject's parents came to Macoupin County from Tennessee in 1835, and settled in North Otter Township where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of seven children, there being four sons and three daughters, of whom our subject was third in the order of birth, his native place being Murray, Tenn., and his birthday March 29, 1817.
Our subject came to Macoupin County with his father in 1835, and was married in North Otter Township, July 20, 1831, to Miss Susan A. Eavs, a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Clark) Eavs, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Pennsylvania. They came from Kentucky to Madison County, Ill., where the mother of the family died, and in 1834 the father came to Macoupin County and settled in North Otter Township, which he made his home until his death, which occurred while on a visit to his brother in Madison County, this State. They had three sons and three daughters, and of these Mrs. Smith is the third child in order of birth, having been born in Madison County, this State, January 29, 1816.
Elisha Smith and his wife settled on section 25, North Otter Township, where they have ever since been residents. Our subject has always followed the calling of agriculture. He has erected a good class of buildings upon his farm which comprises one hundred and thirty-one acres. Of fifteen children born to our subject and his wife, four died in infancy, eleven living to be grown whose names are as follows: Elizabeth, Mary, Laura, William B., George W., Fanny, Thomas M., Ella, Mattie M., Allie and Magnolia. The eldest daughter is the wife of Joel Horn; Mary married John A. Wollen; Laura died when twenty years of age; William B. was a soldier in the Rebellion, being a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry. He died from disease contracted in the army at the age of about twenty years. George W. is a farmer in North Otter Township; Fanny is the wife of Joseph Coy; Thomas is a farmer in North Otter Township; Ella married Jacob Bowersox; Mattie is the wife of Leander Ames; Allie married the late John W. Ross and died at the age of twenty-nine years. Magnolia is the wife of John Coots.
Mr. Smith has always taken an active part in political affairs. He is a Republican in party preference. Both he and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a long term of years.