Armstrong B. Smith

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: BEATTIE, FITCH, SMITH

ARMSTRONG B. SMITH, is one of the successful and progressive farmers and stock-growers of Urbana Township. He is the third son of Jacob and Margaret (BEATTIE) SMITH and was born in Urbana Township, March 7, 1848. His parents were both natives of Kentucky, but removed to Champaign County in about 1840, and located on a farm near Urbana, where their son Armstrong was born and reared. When seven years of age, Armstrong was orphaned by the death of his father and consequently started out early in life to care for himself. He attended the district school, and later continued his education at the College of St. Joseph in Missouri. Returning home he engaged in farming for himself and in 1877 was married to Miss Mary E. FITCH, the daughter of Theodore FITCH, residing in this county, but formerly of Indiana, where Mrs. Smith was born.

After his marriage Mr. Smith settled on the Jane F. Roe farm, which he conducted successfully. Remaining there until 1883, he removed to his present farm, located on section 11, Urbana Township. This place contains 106 acres which, together with another purchase, makes in all 300 acres of choice land. He raises the finest breeds of cattle, horses and hogs. Every year he sells some fifty head of cattle. He keeps most of his stock on the Roe farm, which is well watered and in every respect adapted for the purpose. He devotes about sixty acres to raising wheat. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children living, Ralph and Charlie, and one died in infancy. Mr. Smith is active and energetic, and interested in all the public affairs of the county.