SMITH, EARL. - The business interests of Virginia are carefully conserved by the enterprising men of the county seat, and one of them who is deserving of more than passing mention is Earl Smith, whose operations in coal place him among the successful merchants of the county. Mr. Smith was born at Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., February 24, 1882, a son of Joseph and Helen (Gover) Smith, the former of whom died February 28, 1906, the latter surviving and making her home at Virginia. When he was still an infant, Earl Smith was brought to Virginia, Cass County, Ill., and here he grew to maturity. After taking the public school course, Mr. Smith began to assist his father in the coal business, continuing until the father's death, when he succeeded, and has continued in this line alone ever since. He farms forty acres of land near Virginia in addition to attending to his other business. He has not married, but lives with his mother, being the fourth in order of birth of the nine children that were born to his parents.

Mr. Smith is interested in fraternal matters, belonging to the Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs, and to the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he is now venerable counsel. The Presbyterian church holds his membership. His standing in the community is exceptionally good, and he deserves the success which has been his, for he has always worked intelligently and diligently, and also has been able to spare time to take a useful interest in local. affairs, although he is in no sense a politician.