GEORGE H. SMITH - A large number of the soldiers of the Civil War, upon returning home, directed their energies towards farming, continuing thus through succeeding years, until ultimate success permitted them to retire. Some of them were never with a painful reminder of the days when they were the nation's only hope, but this did not deter them from bearing their part in life, and too much honor cannot be accorded them. One of the representative veterans of Sangamon County is George H. Smith, now living retired at Dawson, near which is located his fine farm. He was born in Springfield, July 15, 1841, being a son of John L. and Rebecca (Cummings) Smith, both born in Kentucky.

The parents came to Illinois at an early day, first locating east of Springfield, where the father entered some land from the Government and conducted it for several years. Later he moved to Logan County, Ill., buying a half section near Elkhart, and farming this until his death, which occurred in January, 1890, his widow surviving until 1895. There were six sons and seven daughters in the family, of whom six children now survive: Robert L., of Lake Fork, Ill.; William A., of Des Moines; Sarah married John Myers, of Mt. Pulaski; Mary married John Coyle, of Missouri; Clara married Charles Davis, of Canada; and George H. The family has always been patriotic, the grandfather having been a soldier in the Revolution, while the father served during the Black Hawk War, and the young George H. Smith grew up prepared to defend his flag whenever there was need of him.

The education of Mr. Smith was received in Logan County, and until the outbreak of the war he remained with his father on the family farm. Eager to prove his loyalty, Mr. Smith enlisted in the fall of 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, at Elkhart, under the command of Captain John Shockey, serving all through the remaining years of the great struggle, and participating in many engagements. He was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., and honorably discharged at Springfield. Returning home after a short stay in Sangamon County, he resumed his farming, continuing thus for twenty years, when removal was made to the vicinity of Dawson. Still later he retired to Dawson, where he owns a comfortable residence, and can take an interest in his farm, which is still in his possession.

The marriage of Mr. Smith occurred in Logan County, June 14, 1882, to Sarah M. Glose, born near Sandusky, Ohio, July 22, 1861, daughter of Martin Glose. Mr. Glose was born in Germany, but his wife, who was Nancy Fall, was a native of Pennsylvania, her father having come to America at an early day, eventually settling in Ohio, where he was engaged in farming until his demise. Mr. Glose moved to Indiana and then to Sangamon County, where he was a farmer until he died, in February, 1907. His wife preceded him, dying in October, 1893. There were seven sons and four daughters in their family, all of whom survive except the eldest, they being: Mary married Joseph Martin, who died, and she resides in Springfield; Daniel, of Springfield; Henry, living in the vicinity of Mt. Pulaski on a farm; Chauncy, of Decatur; David, living on a farm near Topeka, Kan.; Grant, of Mt. Pulaski; James, of Springfield; Amy married Albert Sievers, of Kankakee; and Mrs. Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son, Leslie, of Clinton, Ill., who married Gertrude Milan, born in Illinois. They have three children: Vernon, Kenneth and Elousia.

Mr. Smith has long been a member of the Methodist Church and is earnest in his devotion to its good work. He is a man who has always done what he believed to be his duty, no matter what the cost, and his reward has been not only a material one, but also the approval of his conscience.