People

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith (c. 1808–April 8, 1884) was a farmer and public official who served as sheriff of his county for several years. He is described in an 1888 Kane and Kendall Counties commemorative record as a "prominent and influential man." Though his own biography was not the direct subject of that record, he is documented through the published account of his son, O. H. Smith, a businessman of Carpentersville, Illinois. (Source: *Commemorative Portrait and Biographical Record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Illinois* (1888))

Known Activities

  • Farming: Smith is identified as a farmer by occupation. (Source: Commemorative Portrait and Biographical Record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Illinois (1888))
  • Law enforcement: Smith served as sheriff of his county for several years, a position that would have made him a figure of some local authority and standing. The specific county is not named in the source, but given the family's Vermont origins, this service likely predated or coincided with the family's residence in New England. (Source: Commemorative Portrait and Biographical Record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Illinois (1888))
  • Family: Smith and his wife, Fanny (Russell) Smith, reportedly raised twelve children, all of whom reached maturity — a notable circumstance for the era. (Source: Commemorative Portrait and Biographical Record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Illinois (1888))

Timeline

DateEvent
c. 1808Born (estimated from death age of 76)
(date unknown)Married Fanny Russell
March 31, 1848Son O. H. Smith born in Cabot, Vermont
(date unknown)Served as sheriff of his county for several years
October 11, 1863Son O. H. Smith departed home at age 15 to seek work
April 8, 1884Died, aged 76
## Notes

The 1888 source describes Daniel Smith as having been a "prominent and influential man," though the context of his prominence — whether rooted in his farming, his tenure as sheriff, or his standing in the community — is not elaborated upon. His wife, Fanny (Russell) Smith, was still living in Carpentersville, Illinois, at the time of publication in 1888, then aged approximately 80, residing with her son O. H. Smith. The family's origins are traced to Cabot, Vermont. A great-grandfather on the Russell side reportedly served in the Revolutionary War; a great-grandfather on the Smith side is said to have served seven years in the Revolutionary War, and his musket was reportedly still in family possession in Vermont as of 1888. (Source: Commemorative Portrait and Biographical Record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Illinois (1888))

Sources

  • Commemorative Portrait and Biographical Record of Kane and Kendall Counties, Ill. (1888). Retrieved from archive.org.