Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Smith, James 
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Author: Past & Present, 1907

JAMES SMITH. For over a quarter of a century the name of James Smith has been 
synonymous in Joliet with high class work in contracting and for the faithful 
performance of every duty that devolves upon him in this connection. Mr. Smith 
came to America in 1880 from county Durham, England, where he learned the 
trade of a bricklayer and mason and was skilled in all branches of the 
builder's art when he came to the new world. His labors need no further 
encomiums than are indicated in the splendid structures which he has erected, 
including the American Wire works, the Joliet & Rockdale buildings and various 
other important structures throughout the city. The Refractory works at 
Rockdale, one of the largest brick buildings of modern times, is numbered 
among his recent mammoth achievements. The new building of the Joliet Pure Ice 
Company was completed by Mr. Smith in March of the present year (1907) in 
addition to the industrial plants in Joliet and its suburbs, together with 
various public buildings which he has erected and which are splendid evidences 
of his genius and skillful workmanship. They stand as monuments to his labor 
and enterprise, at once placing him with the foremost contractors of this part 
of the state. Mr. Smith possesses a beautiful home at No. 201 Raynor 
boulevard, where with his wife and youngest daughter, Ivan Lillian, he enjoys 
all the comforts of an ideal home. His two sons, like the father, are 
practical tradesmen and assist him in superintending the many and varied 
contracts entrusted to his care. Fred W. Smith, the elder son, was married 
seven years ago to Miss Nellie Ball, a popular young lady of this city, and 
has two children: Gladys C. Smith, six years of age; and Maurice Gilbert 
Smith, now four years of age. They own a brick business block on John street 
adjoining the boulevard, where the wife in his absence superintends a grocery 
and meat market business. Walter Smith, the second son, who owns a nice home 
at No. 102 Radnor avenue, is also happily married, his union being with Miss 
Alice Leopold. The eldest daughter of the family. Miss Pearl Smith, was 
married three years ago to Charles Limbacher, superintendent of the Joliet 
Stove works, and unto them has been born a son, Raymond Charles. The younger 
daughter, Ivan Lillian Smith, is an entertaining and popular young lady, who 
aids her parents in extending the hospitality of their attractive home to 
their many friends and neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Smith spend the winter months 
at Los Angeles, California, their interests being supervised and safeguarded 
by the family during their absence. For the year 1907 Mr. Smith has a number 
of important contracts in connection with railroads and the building of 
factories. He is justly accounted one of the foremost builders of Joliet and 
his business has long since become very extensive and profitable. There is no 
contractor or employer of labor who is held in higher esteem by his workmen, 
for Mr. Smith is always solicitous as to the welfare of those in his employ, 
pays good living wages and is consequently respected and honored by all 
branches of organized labor. Of social nature, he is a leading member of the 
Commercial Club and a member of several friendly and benevolent organizations. 

Additional Comments:
Past and Present of Will County, Illinois, by W. W. Stevens, President of the 
Will County Pioneers Association. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing 
Company, 1907.

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