Biography - VINCENT SMITH

Vincent Smith, whose death occurred February 28, 1904, had been a resident of Bunker Hill for more than half a century, and for some time previous to his decease was considered as the oldest citizen of Macoupin County. He was universally regarded with the reverence due his advanced age, as well as with the respect and esteem accorded those who have lived useful, helpful lives. Mr. Smith was born June 7, 1808, in London, England, in the year in which James Madison was elected President of the United States, and 11 years before the birth of that gracious lady and sovereign, the late Queen Victoria. He was the only child born to his parents, Vincent and Hannah (Ridgley) Smith.

The Smith family was one of distinction in England, only three generations removed from the crown, and upon their coat-of-arms is inscribed the stag and seven stars. An uncle of our venerable subject once served as lord mayor of London and other prominent offices have been held by his kindred. The father of Mr. Smith died when he was three years old, and when Vincent was eight years of age, his mother brought him to America, in 1816 accompanying her parents, Thomas and Lydia Ridgley, to Boston, Massachusetts. They settled on a farm at Spott's Pond, 16 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Some years later Mr. and Mrs. Ridgley and family removed to Illinois, where Lydia Ridgley died, her husband then going to St. Louis, Missouri, and making his home subsequently with his son, Richard Ridgley, a brother of Hon. Stephen Ridgley, who was a member of the Missouri Legislature and a man of wealth and prominence. Stephen Ridgley was the founder of the Ridgley Library which is now in course of construction at Washington University. Stephen and Richard Ridgley made large fortunes in the manufacture of an illuminating fluid. The other children of the Ridgley family were: John, a sailor, who lost his life at sea; George, who died on the plains on his way to California, in 1849; Mrs. Rhoda Bird; Mrs. Eliza Richards; Thomas, a fanner, who died at Bunker Hill; and William, who was also engaged in farming. Richard Ridgley died in Bunker Hill.

The mother of our subject died soon after reaching America, at Baltimore, Maryland, and the orphan boy found a home with his uncle, Lazarus Haskell. He has the kindest recollections of his good uncle and aunt, the latter being a sister of his mother, and he recalls many interesting circumstances connected with those days. Mrs. Haskell was employed in the family of John Quincy Adams, in the capacity of seamstress, but seems to have been regarded with affection, Mr. Smith having in his possession a gold shawl pin which was presented to his aunt by Mrs. Adams. With this aunt he attended the inauguration of President Adams, and can recall many incidents of that august occasion.

Mr. Smith was about 25 years of age when he accompanied the family in its migration to Ohio, and settlement at Yellow Springs. A few years later, he came to Illinois, on the way passing through the city of Indianapolis, when that beautiful capital of Indiana was represented by four dwellings and a blacksmith shop. Mr. Smith located near Monmouth, Illinois, entering land in Warren County. As but two years had elapsed since the Black Hawk War, the country was still in an unsettled state, and he passed the first winter in a blockhouse — a frontier fort used for protection against Indians. Later he improved a farm and built the first frame house erected between Monmouth and Chicago. In 1851 he removed to Macoupin County and settled in Bunker Hill township. The old homestead still stands but has not been occupied for the past 25 years.

Mr. Smith was married January 25, 1840, to Rhoda Bird, who was born at Dorchester, Massachusetts, December 19, 1824, and is a daughter of Lemuel and Rhoda (Ridgley) Bird. Of the 12 children born to them, these survive: Stephen, who is in the real estate business at Wyndmere, North Dakota; Haney V., who resides in Bunker Hill township; Mrs. Hannah Boswell of Shipman, Macoupin County; Katherine E.; Lemuel B. and Edward L. — all of Bunker Hill township. The deceased were: Ella M., Lucy, Anna, Cluilus, Hattie and Mary E., who died five months after her marriage with Henry Parker.

Mr. Smith always filled a prominent place in the affairs of his community and was foremost in the establishment of many of the local enterprises. He was one of the first trustees of the Bunker Hill Military Academy, and was one of the most liberal supporters of McKendree College. For more than 60 years he was a member of the Methodist Church, uniting with it in its early days in his section, and was of the utmost assistance in the erection of the first Methodist church structure at Bunker Hill. Later, when a new building was proposed, he again gave generous assistance. In early days he was an abolitionist and during the Civil War upheld the arms oi the government to the best of his ability. He was always a temperance man and for some years performed his part in advancing the principles advocated by the Prohibition party.

Mr. Smith's declining years were surrounded with all the comforts dear to age. His wife passed away in July, 1899, at the age of 75 years, but an affectionate and devoted daughter was ever at his side during the three and a half years that intervened between the loss of his wife and his own removal from the scene of his labors, and his sons kept him in touch with the world. His life covered the most wonderful epoch in the earth's history, and it was the oft expressed wish of his friends that he might be permitted to round out the century. This was not an unreasonable hope, as all who have had knowledge of his wonderful vitality and his vigor of body and mind can testify.

Extracted 2018 May 06 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 161-163.