LEVI J. SMITH, whose sketch now claims attention was born in Richwoods Precinct, Calhoun County, October 16, 1855. His father who was also named Levi Smith was born in New York State. He was young when his parents removed to Ohio and there received his education and early training. He learned the carpenter trade and continued to follow it in that State up to the time when he removed to Illinois, when he made his first appearance at Alton before that was even a village and while the country around was in a very primitive state, but he resided there one year, engaged in the lumber business. From that point he removed to Jersey County where he was one of the pioneers. Deer were plentiful and the county gave few prospects of the prosperity that has since been developed, being at that time covered on every side with heavy timber. He bought a tract of land near Delhi where he lived until 1853 and then removed to Calhoun County. Here he bought a tract of land, the same that is now occupied by our subject, but in 1863 he removed to Jerseyville and died there in the fall of the same year.
Our subject's mother, who previous to her marriage was Miss Mary E. Delong, was born in New York and there reared. She was a Christian woman and passed away to her final resting place, living at the time on the homestead, in August, 1885. She was the mother of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, viz: Sarah, William, George, Sarah, Harriett, David, Samuel, Nancy, Jersey, Catherine, Amanda and Levi. Sarah (1) and David died young.
Mr. Smith was reared on the old homestead which he now owns and occupies. He learned the carpenter's trade at the age of eighteen and has followed that trade most of the time. His farm contains two hundred and five acres of valuable land and is situated on section 34, Richwoods Precinct. He is an energetic and highly successful farmer and has built a nice dwelling and good frame barns on his place and has also planted twenty-two acres in an orchard.
Our subject was married in 1877 to Miss Matilda Wiegand whose birth occurred in Richwoods Precinct. She is a daughter of Henry and Martha Wiegand. This marriage has been blessed with two children— Delia and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the former is a member of the Republican party. He is held in the highest esteem by the citizens of Richwoods Precinct and ranks among the best business men in Calhoun County.
Extracted 23 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, page 643
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