WILLIAM SMITH DIES AT AGE OF 102. -

William Smith, Edwards county's oldest citizen and possibly the oldest man in the state of Illinois, died at his home on north Fourth street on Friday morning at seven o'clock, his demise resulting trom the infirmities of age.

The funeral services were held from the home Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock conducted by Rev. P. M. Durham, assisted by Rev. John Hardy, in presence of a large assembly life-long neighbors, relatives and friends of the deceased. Interment was made in the Albion cemetery by the side of his companion, who preceded him in death several years ago.

The following obituary has been furnished for publication: "William Smith, son of John, Sr., and Hannah (Edgeler) Smith, was born in Godalming Parish, Surrey county, England, July 1, 1818, where he lived until he was seventeen years of age and during which he received his education in the English schools of Surrey county. He was one of a family of eight children, three sisters, Mary Ann, Harriet and Eliza; and four brothers, James, George, Charles and Henry; all having preceded him to the great beyond. In May, 1835, he embarked on the Irish vessel “Eliza” bound for the United States and after nine weeks of continuous and steady sailing on the Atlantic ocean, landed in the harbor of New York city on his seventeen birthday, July 1st, 1835. Arriving in New York city, he ascended the Hudson river on a steam boat to Albany. From Albany westward on a canal boat to Buffalo. From Buffalo southwest by steamboat across Lake Erie to Cleveland. From Cleveland southward on a canal boat to Portsmouth on the Ohio river. From Portsmouth on a steamboat to Mount Vernon, Indiana, from which place he slowly made his way by wagon trail over hills and through dense forests until he reached Edwards county, where he lived his life built a reputation and established a character unquestioned, respected, honored and loved.

On the first day of July, 1841, just six years to a day after he landed in New York harbor, he chose as his bride and life companion Harriet Nash, with whom he started life in a mud house located in what is now the northeast part of Albion. 

He was later employed at labor for a compensation of twenty-five cents a day. Later he moved to Frazier Prairie into a house known as the Frazier House. This land he purchased from the Congress of the United States through Secretary of State Adams. This is the land on which Frank Crome, Jr., now lives. After a few years he purchased more land from Congress and built a home on the site of which where Ellsworth Smith now lives.

At the time he reached Albion, the only buildings that marked the spot were some half dozen rudely constructed log shanties. During the Civil War, he served his country and protected his home and community in the capacity of picket guard duty. He was a sturdy pioneer in a new and undeveloped locality. Many a giant oak has fallen by his keen axe. Many acres of cultivated land in this county is the result of his labors. Many a log has he adjusted in the building of the old-time log houses and many a life has been made better and richer by him, an honest, truthful, manly and exemplary life. He was the father of thirteen children, seven daughters and six sons; Mrs. Louisa Chism, Mrs. Sarah Over, Mrs. Laura Bunting, Mrs. Florence Bunting, Mrs. Emma Deen Harris, Mrs. Fannie Thread and Miss Hannah Ann Smith; Mrs. Laura Bunting and Miss Hannah Ann Smith have passed to their reward; and six sons, George, Morris, Frank K., Sidney, William Richard and Ellsworth. George, Frank K., and Sidney having gone on before.

The grandfather of sixty children; great-grandfather of one hundred children and great-great-grandfather of eleven children. After having reared his family and spent the more active portion of his life on the farm now occupied by Ellsworth Smith, he moved with his companion to this city on April 4, 1889, and located on north Fourth street where the remainder of his days on Earth were spent.

On Sept. 4, 1887, he suffered the loss of his life companion. He lived one hundred and two years, three months and twenty-one days. At the time of his demise, Uncle William was and for several years had been the oldest person in Edwards county and possibly the oldest man in the state of Illinois. In his boyhood days, he was christened into the Church of England and throughout his life lived a consistent, well-rounded Christian life. His disposition was quiet and peaceable, unassuming, yet kind and affectionate. He always had a pleasant greeting and an encouraging manner. He was called home Friday by our savior, our God.

- October 24, 1920, Albion, Ills.

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