Clara Bell Smith  - Born on 24 Mar 1861 in IL? Clara Bell died on 20 Sep 1918, she was 57.  On 14 Nov 1889 when Clara Bell was 28, she married Frank L. STEWERT, son of James STEWERT & Rebecca SMITH, in Rossville, Illinois. Born in 1857 in Ohio. Frank L. died on 2 Jan 1914, he was 57.

FRANK L. STEWART, who is engaged in dealing in ice in Rossville and also has farming interests in Vermilion County, was born in Logan, Ohio, January 31, 1857, and is a son of James McLoughlin and Rebecca L. (Smith) Stewart. The mother, who was born in 1819, died on the 16th of June, 1857, while the father was born April 5, 1824, in Logan County, Ohio, and died in 1907.

The founder of the Stewart family in this country came from Ireland and was one of the early colonists of the new world. Unto James M. and Rebecca L. Stewart there were born six children: Willis; Mary, deceased; Charles; twins who died in infancy; and Frank L., who is the youngest child of that marriage. After losing his first wife the father married Miss Nancy Hannah, of Knoxville, Tennessee, and their children were: Edna; Lucy, deceased; Jesse; and Dessie.

Being only a few months old at the time of his mother's death, Frank L. Stewart was taken by his aunt and uncle, Miss Martha Jane and G. W. Smith, who have always stood to him in the relation of parents. Leaving Ohio, they removed to Tolono, Illinois, when the subject of this review was about two years of age and there established their home, living in that locality until 1883, When they came to Vermilion County, settling in Grant township. G. W. Smith then secured land in that locality and has continued to make his home there, being closely, actively and honorably identified with agricultural pursuits. Frank L. Stewart acquired his education in the schools of Tolono while spending his youthful days in the home of his aunt and uncle. He was trained to the work of the farm which claimed his attention for six years after his school days were over. At the end of that time he removed to Rossville, taking up his abode in this town on the 1st of August, 1889. Thinking to find commercial pursuits more congenial and profitable than the work of the fields, he turned his attention to general merchandising and was associated in that business with a partner for about three years. He afterward resumed farming and also engaged in the ice business, in which he actively continues. He has secured many patrons in that locality, making the business a profitable one, his trade constantly increasing in volume and importance as the years have gone by. He also has farming interests, being engaged in the cultivation of six hundred and forty acres of land situated in Grant Township.

On the 14th of November, 1889, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Bell C. Smith and they have three children: Martha, who is a graduate of Lake Forest Academy at Lake Forrest, Illinois ; Horace, who is still in school; and Grace, who is a pupil in the high school of Rossville.

The family attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Stewart and his wife are active and earnest members. He was chairman of the board of trustees, also of the building committee of the church, has served on the building committee of the Masonic lodge and on the building committee of the new high school. He was a member of the school board for nine years, and is deeply interested in all that pertains to the intellectual and moral progress of the community. He is also prominent in Masonry, in which he has taken the degrees of the lodge and chapter. He belongs to the Tribe of Ben Hur and has filled all of the offices in the local lodge of Knights of Pythias, which he has likewise represented in the state conventions.

For the past twelve years he has Been its minister of finance, and at all times he is loyal to the teachings and to the purposes of these orders. His life has been one of continuous activity in which has come due recognition of labor. Progress and patriotism might well be termed the keynote of his character for these qualities have been potent forces in his life throughout the period of his manhood and have gained him a place with the leading and representative citizens of his adopted county.

(Submitted by Mary Paulius from History of Vermilion County, Illinois - Vol. II by Lottie Jones, pgs. 238 & 239)

Autobiography of Charles Smith, son of the immigrant Thomas Smith, as appeared in the Vermillion County History, published in ________.

"A professor of renown, who has devoted his life largely to a study of the economic conditions and natural resources of the country, has made the statement that there is no better investment in all America than Illinois farm land. Moreover it is a well known fact that agriculture is the basis of all success in other lines, and the man, therefore, whose capabilities qualify him for successful farming is particularly fortunate. A prominent representative of the agricultural classes in Eastern Illinois is Charles Smith, who is the owner of ten hundred and eighty acres upon the south side of the Attica road about three miles from Rossville in Vermillion county.

His entire life has been spent in this locality, his birth occurring upon the old homestead farm March 13, 1864. He is a son of Thomas Smith, one of the early settlers of the county. His youthful days were spent in the usual manner of farm lads. The work of the fields engaged his attention from the time of early sprint planting until crops were gathered in the autumn. The instruction of the public school developed his mental powers, and thus school and home training qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties. Wisely choosing as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared, he has become one of the extensive land owners of the county, making further investment from time to time as his financial resources have increased, until now ten hundred and eighty acres annually yield to him a good revenue.

His home farm upon which he resides comprises two hundred and seventy acres adjoining the corporation limits of Rossville, and is a valuable and well informed tract equipped with all of the conveniences and accessories of a model farm. He owns other land in Grant township and all is in good condition, the work of improvement and development keeping his fields continuously under a high state of cultivation. He likewise owns land in Kansas. The farm upon which he resides is known as the old Henderson place. In addition to its cultivation he raises some stock and also buys and ships stock. His sound judgment in this, as in other branches of his business is bringing to him well merited success.

On the 13th of October, 1887, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Susan Pendergrast, a daughter of Patrick and Laura (Albert) Pendergrast. Their children are nine in number, namely: Thomas, who married Ethel Case; (and married second to Lottie Josephine Houser, and had my father, (author's note) Fern, a graduate of the common schools; Edwin, who has also completed his course in the public schools; Austin, Minnie, Leo, Donovan and George, all attending school; and Ray, deceased.

Mr. Smith and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He is widely known in the county where his entire life has been spent, and that his record has ever been a creditable one is indicated by the fact that those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time are numbered among his staunchest friends. He early came to a realization of the fact that "There is no excellence without labor," and that "There is no royal road to wealth." There which he set himself by reason of his unfaltering application and determined purpose. The rewards of labor are sue and thus in due course of time he gained a place among the more prosperous farmers of the county."

A clipping from the local paper at the time of Charles' wedding, read as follows:

"Married - At residence of the bride's parents in this city Thursday at 11 a.m., Charles Smith and Miss Susie Pendergrast, Rev. Beadles officiating.  Only a few relatives witnessed the ceremony.  The happy couple left on the 12:20 train for three weeks' tour through Kentucky and the south.  On returning they will make this their future home.  Charley has captured a prize and yet we can hardly realize that "our Sue" is gone.  The Press extends congratulations and best wishes for a happy and prosperous future."

Thomas Patrick Smith (1888-1961) - my paternal grandfather.

Left is a photo of him when he was a child, on the right.

Fern Laura Smith - Born in 1890. Fern Laura died in 1969, she was 79. Fern Laura married A. Hjalmar REHN. Born in 1886. A. Hjalmar died in 1959, he was 73.  Fern and her husband are buried in Joliet, IL somewhere.

Edwin ("Eddie") Smith - Born in 1892. Edwin ("Eddie") died in 1983, he was 91.  Edwin ("Eddie") married Leota PETERS. Born in 1892. Leota died in 1973, she was 81.  Edwin lived with Aunt Helen the last ten years of his life.