Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1887 — LIVED NEARLY 102 YEARS. [ARTICLE]

LIVED NEARLY 102 YEARS.

He Voted for Madison and Cleveland, and Never Rode on a Railroad Train. (Freeport (HL) telegram.] The oldest man in Stephenson County, if not in Illinois, has just died at his home, about seventeen miles northwest of Freeport. Had he lived until July 29, Mr. Smith would have been 102 years old; He was bom in Guilford County, North Carolina. In 1815 he moved to Highland County, Ohio, and from there came to this county in 1816, and has resided here. ever since. When about 20 years old he was married to Boreas McDaniel in his native county. She bore him twelve children, all of whom but one grew to manhood and womanhood Two years ago his hundredth birthday anniversary was celebrated with great pomp, there being present perhaps

2,000 people. When in hi« younger days he enjoyed fishing and hunting exceedingly, but when it came time for him to get down to business he learned tbe blacksmithing trade, which he followed for some time. The greater part of his life was devoted to fanning. With the exception of chewing tobacco, Mr. Smith was a most temperate man all his life. He never joined any church, bnt had always been nn attentive and careful reader of tbe Bible, and abont six years ago was baptized. He cast his first Presidential vote for James Madison, and his last for Grover Cleveland, and had always been a Democrat. He never rode on a railroad train and never ate a meal in a hotel.