John J. Smith (1849 - 1920)

Born 25 Mar 1849 in Ross, Ohio, United States

Ancestors

Died 14 Oct 1920 at age 71 in Weldon, Decatur County, Iowa, United States

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Biography

John was born in Ross County, Ohio, probably Green Township on 25 March 1849. He was a son of George Smith and Leah Barnhart. ^[1]

Note: For more complete census reports, see the profile for John's father George Smith.

John was listed in the household of George Smith at Green Township, Ross County for the 1850 U.S. Census. He was recorded as 1 year old and born in Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents and seven of his siblings. His niece Sarah Smith (Sibrel) was also living in the family. ^[2]

In 1860 John was listed in his father's household at Green Township, Post Office Chillicothe as 11 years old, born in Pennsylvania and was attending school. He was living with his parents and two of his siblings. Sarah Sibrel, Reuben Barnhart and Jacob Kesler were also living in the family. Reuben Barnhart was likely a cousin of John's. ^[3]

John was 21 years old and working on his father's farm in Green Township in 1870. He was living with his father, three siblings and Sarah Sibrel. ^[4]

John's brother George Smith's obituary recorded he had moved with his father, sister and brother to McLean County, Illinois after his mother's death in 1874. ^[5] This must have been an error, Leah Smith died in 1866, but George Smith (SR.) died in 1876. John's siblings Elizabeth Smith (Jennings), David Smith and Mary Alice Smith (Bright) all had moved to McLean County earlier, as well as several Barnharts from Ross County.

John married Victoria Bright on 24 February 1876 at McLean County. ^[6] They appear to have had four children togther.

John appeared in the 1880 census at West Township, McLean County as John J. Smith, a 31 year old farmer born in Ohio, with parents from Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Victoria and two of their sons, Hugh and Lloyd Smith. His brother George and sister Catherine were living on the next farm. ^[7]

In 1900 John was listed at West Township as 53 years old, born in Ohio in March of 1847 and had been married 24 years. He was able to read and write and was living on his own farm which he owned free of mortgage with his wife Victoria. Their two children, Benton L. and Laura E. Smith, and three servants were living in the family as well. George Smith (Jr.) was living on the next farm. ^[8]

John was recorded as moving to Iowa with his brother George in 1903. ^[5] He appeared at Franklin Township, Decatur County in 1910 with his wife Victoria. He was listed as 61 years old, born in Ohio and had been married for 34 years. He owned his farm free of mortgage. His son Hugh and his family were living next door with his brother George Smith. ^[9]

John died on 14 October 1920 at Weldon, Decatur County, Iowa and was buried at Riverside Cemetery, Saybrook, McLean County, Illinois. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, John J. Smith.
2. ↑ Year: 1850; Census Place: Green, Ross, Ohio; Roll: 725; Page: 223a
3. ↑ Year: 1860; Census Place: Green, Ross, Ohio; Roll: M653_1030; Page: 183; Family History Library Film: 805030
4. ↑ Year: 1870; Census Place: Green, Ross, Ohio; Roll: M593_1262; Page: 669B
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} "George G. Smith, George G. Smith", "The Leon Journal Reporter", Leon, Iowa, 24 June 1915, page 3.
6. ↑ Illinois State Marriage Records. Online index. Illinois State Public Record Offices.
7. ↑ Year: 1880; Census Place: West, McLean, Illinois; Roll: 231; Page: 561B; Enumeration District: 179
8. ↑ Year: 1900; Census Place: West, McLean, Illinois; Page: 5; Enumeration District: 0121; FHL microfilm: 1240323
9. ↑ Year: 1910; Census Place: Franklin, Decatur, Iowa; Roll: T624_400; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0049; FHL microfilm: 1374413

• Probate Records, 1871-1952; Index 1864-1926; Author: Iowa. Probate Court (Decatur County); Probate Place: Decatur, Iowa