RICHARD C. SMITH, one of the old residents of Curran Township, is pleasantly located on section 23, engaged in general farming and stock-raising. His estate consists of one hundred thirty-one and a half acres, the most of which is a part of the original Smith homestead. Since he took possession he has added to the improvements that had already been made, and the place today ranks among the most comfortable and attractive in this vicinity. The various buildings which are made necessary by the extent of the work carried on here are conveniently disposed, and built with a view to their continuance as well as convenience. A number of fruit trees add to the beauty and value of the property, and well-kept hedges and wire fencing enclose and sub-divide the acreage.

Mr. Smith was born in Curran Township, February 12, 1833, and reared on the farm he now owns. His father, John Smith, a native of Washington County, Ky., is spoken of at length in the sketch of Thomas Smith, a brother of our subject, on another page in this ALBUM. He of whom we write, pursued his studies in the common schools, his first instruction being received in those carried on by subscription, and later years being passed under the free school system. Like many another resident in this county, he began taking a part in the labors of life when quite small, and was but nine years old when he guided the wooden plow which was drawn by one horse. When a little stronger he helped to break prairie with five yoke of oxen. He continued to make his home with his parents until after he had attained to his majority. In the meantime he married, and after carrying on the home farm for a year, he and his wife removed into a log house, and he operated a part of the homestead. He afterward bought land on section 26, built a dwelling and otherwise improved the tract which he farmed until 1871.

Mr. Smith then sold the one hundred and forty acres he held and bought in Chatham Township, near Loami. There he continued his agricultural labors until 1874, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of improved land near Tolono and removed thereto. In 1881 he left Champaign County and returned to the old home. Upon the death of his father he was made one of the administrators of the estate, and when it was settled, became the possessor of that part which he is now operating. The old Smith homestead was long ago denominated Preacher's Home, and still retains the name, from the fact that ministers are always welcome and are freely entertained there. Not only is Mr. Smith social and friendly, but his wife is the very soul of hospitality, and together they draw around them a large circle of sincere friends, and even the stranger within their gates is made to feel at home.

The marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Amarine Shelton was solemnized in Curran Township, April 7, 1853. Mrs. Smith is a granddaughter of Stephen and Lydia (Heath) Shelton, the former of whom was born in North Carolina in 1777. They established their home near the mouth of the Scioto River in Ohio, subsequently removed to Cabell County, W. Va., and in the spring of 1826 came hither. Grandfather Shelton located on section 33, Curran Township, building a large double log house and operating eighty acres of land. His son William, who was born in Ohio, March 18, 1827, was for some time a lead miner at Galena. When the trouble with the Winnebago Indians arose he volunteered in a company raised at the mines. In 1830 he returned to this county and carried on farming until his health failed, when he removed to Chatham, there to breathe his last. The dat of his demise was 1877.

The mother of Mrs. Smith was Prudence Neal, born in Virginia, April 9, 1805. Her father, Daniel Neal, a farmer and shoemaker, brought his family to this county in 1828, locating in Chatham Township. He afterward removed to Loami Township where he died. Mrs. Shelton is now living with our subject; she is a member of the Baptist Church. Her children are five in number, Mrs. Smith being the second in order of birth. The others are John R., of Moultrie County; Daniel M., of this county; Mrs. Zarilda Worth, of Illinois, and James M., of Kansas. The eldest was a member of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois Infantry from 1862 until the close of the Civil War.

Mrs. Smith was born September 2, 1835, and was taught the arts of spinning, weaving, and the other household duties which were considered essential to the daughters of a former generation. She combines with her housewifely skill an affectionate nature and the devotion to her loved ones, which make her a model wife and mother. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, we note the following: Thomas William was graduated from the Danville (Ind.) College after completing the scientific course. He was formerly engaged in teaching in this county, but now resides at Tolono, Champaign County, being agent for the Great American Steel Bridge Company. He is married and has three children - Claude, Edna and Georgie; John R., a prominent farmer near Philo, Champaign County, is married and has two children, LeRoy and Richard M.; Lizzie is the wife of Joseph Smith, a farmer of Curran Township, and their family includes two children, Lloyd E. and Ralph B.; James A. who is farming in Champaign County, is married and has one son, Charles G.; Richard E. with his wife occupies a farm near Berry; Charles E. is a carpenter in Arkansas City, Kan.; Flora J. is the wife of Everett A. Baugh, a farmer near Woodside, and has one son, Charles A.; Frederick H. is unmarried and with his parents.

Mr. Smith has been Highway Commissioner one term, and was Justice of the Peace four years. For over twenty years he has held the position of School Director. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, which has no stancher member than he; he has been a member of the Central Committee, and a delegate to county conventions. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge No. 523, at Chatham, and to the Farmer's Mutual Benefit Association at Curran. He occupies the front rank among the members of Mt. Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, is now Class Leader, Steward and Trustee, was formerly member of the building committee, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday school. He enjoys unbounded popularity, and is regarded on all sides as one of the most prominent members of the community in business and social relations. Mr. Smith has in his possession the gun with which his father used to hunt in the early days. It was originally of the flint-lock pattern, but has been remodeled into a rifle of regular make.