Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Smith, Patrick 
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Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 February 7, 2008, 3:51 am

Author: Past and Present Will County IL; 1907

PATRICK SMITH. Among the citizens of Will county that Ireland has furnished to 
Illinois is numbered Patrick Smith, who was born in County Cavan in 1839. He 
is a son of Hugh and Mary (Lynch) Smith, who were likewise natives of the 
Emerald Isle, both having been born in County Cavan. The father's birth 
occurred in 1750 and he died in the year 1844 at the old homestead in his 
native country, where his son Henry yet resides. The mother passed away about 
forty years ago when seventy-two years of age. She was a Roman Catholic in 
religious faith. In the Smith family were the following named: Patrick, of 
this review; Henry, living in Ireland; Julia, who passed away in that country; 
Mrs. Kate Thornton, who makes her home at Sheridan, Missouri; and Rev. James 
J. Smith, a Catholic priest, who was ordained about twenty-two years ago and 
has since devoted his life to the church. Patrick Smith began his education in 
the public schools of his native country. He came to America in 1860, when a 
young man of twenty-one years, in company with his uncle, Patrick Lynch, who 
is now deceased and who made his home upon a farm adjoining the place upon 
which our subject now resides. The voyage across the Atlantic was made on a 
steamer which was two weeks in completing the trip, for some trouble was 
experienced and the boat had to stop for repairs. At length, however, they 
landed safely in New York, but did not tarry in the east, continuing on their 
westward way to Joliet. In this county Mr. Smith bought eighty acres of land, 
where he now lives, on section 7, Joliet township. He paid twenty dollars per 
acre for the original tract and with characteristic energy began its further 
development and improvement. As the years passed his fields brought forth rich 
and abundant crops and their sale placed him in comfortable financial 
circumstances. As he found opportunity he added to his property and is now the 
owner of excellent farming land, embracing two hundred and ninety-two acres. 
He still gives supervision to the farm and is an active and energetic business 
man. Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Kate Ring, a native of New York 
and a daughter of John Ring, now deceased, who was a farmer of Manhattan 
township. Mrs. Smith is about fifty-two years of age and is a member of the 
Catholic church. By this marriage there have been born thirteen children: Hugh 
J., now deceased; John, who is living on his father's farm in Troy township; 
Mary, at home; Patrick, who has departed this life; Thomas; Lizzie, the wife 
of Edward Donley, an employe in the Chicago postoffice; Julia, who is keeping 
house for her brother John; Henry, Allen, Martin, Joe, Peter and Angie, all of 
whom are at home. Mr. Smith is a member of the Catholic church and reared his 
family in that faith. His political support is given to the democracy and for 
about fifteen years he filled the office of pathmaster. He was also school 
director for a number of years and has worked earnestly and persistently for 
the best interests of his community. He made no false step in coming to the 
new world. In fact, time has proven the wisdom of his judgment in this regard. 
Here he has worked with perseverance and diligence and has gained that success 
which is always the reward of earnest labor. His farming interests are now 
extensive and profitable, enabling him to enjoy many of the luxuries as well 
as the comforts which go to make life worth living. 

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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