Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Smith, Christopher J 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 3:45 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

CHRISTOPHER J. SMITH, township commissioner of highways, and a resident of 
Joliet since 1867, was born in Fallsburg, Sullivan County, N. Y., September 
23, 1847, a son of James and Mary (Flood) Smith, natives of Ireland. His 
parents, after the birth of one son, emigrated to the United States and 
settled in New York state, where the mother died in Ellensville. Of their 
eleven children, all but two attained mature years. The oldest son, John, now 
living in Warren,  Pa., enlisted in the Union  army as a member of a New York 
regiment of cavalry and served until its close. Three sons, Christopher J., 
Philip and Michael, are residents of Joliet, and William is at home.

The early years of our subject's life were passed in Fallsburg, where he was 
educated in the public schools. He was engaged as a teamster connected with a 
tannery.  After his marriage he came to the west, arriving in Joliet in 1867, 
and securing employment with the Joliet Gas Company. Later he was employed in 
the building of the first rolling-mill in this city, and after its completion 
he secured work in the mill, continuing there for twelve years. On the 
erection of the steel mill he became a hooker in it, and so helped to roll the 
first iron and first steel rails. He assisted in organizing the Roll Hands' 
Union, which became connected with the Amalgamated Association of Iron and 
Steel Workers, and he continued an active member of the same until he quit the 
business.

The next enterprise with which Mr. Smith was connected was the bottling 
business, which he conducted on Collins street for six years, meantime 
building up a good trade. He then turned the business over to his son, who has 
since carried it on. During the last term of Mayor Kelly he received the 
appointment of superintendent of streets, which position he held for two 
years. He then turned his attention to general contracting, and built a number 
of sewers on Stone, Ruby, Jackson and Marion streets, having the contract for 
four and one-half miles of water-mains; also for many streets, grading, etc.

The Democratic party has always received the allegiance of Mr. Smith, who is a 
thorough believer in the principles which it represents. On the party ticket, 
in the spring of 1898, he was elected township highway commissioner for a term 
of three years, and is now president of the board. The position consumes his 
time and attention, to the exclusion of outside interests. He is filling the 
office in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned, and is proving a 
reliable, trustworthy public official. Twice he was elected alderman from the 
First ward, filling the office for four years, and he also served as assistant 
supervisor for one term. For  many years he has been treasurer of the Ancient 
Order of Hibernians, and he is also receiver in the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. He is connected with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, in the 
building of which he took an active part, and he also aided generously in the 
erection of the academy.

Mr. Smith was one of the first to build on Collins street, and still resides 
at No. 801, where he has a neat and comfortable home. He was married in 
Ellensville, N. Y., to Miss Bridget Moran, who came from Ireland to America 
with her father, Conner Moran, and settled at Neversink, N. Y.  Four children 
were born of their marriage, namely: John C., who has charge of the bottling 
business established by his father; Thomas V., who is connected with the 
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad; Ellen M., a graduate of St. Mary's Academy 
and Normal School; and now a teacher in the Chicago public schools; and George 
P., a plumber employed wTith the Federal Steel Company.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

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