MARSHAL SMITH, the subject of this sketch, was born August 27, 1800, in Casey county, Ky. He was the second son of John and Nancy SMITH, both natives of Kentucky, and emigrated to Scott county (then Morgan), Ill., in the spring of 1833, and settled in North Prairie, and began life as a farmer. Mr. SMITH purchased of Mr. CAMPBELL his first land, being one hundred and forty acres; then an eighty adjoining, of Mr. GRAFTON; then one hundred and ninety six acres of Mr. PEARL; then forty acres of Mr. GILHAM; and then another tract of Mr. John B. CAMPBELL, administrator of Mr. GLIHAM. Mr. SMITH was entirely successful as a farmer, and, after amassing a competence of this world's goods, he removed to Winchester, where he now resides in an elegant and tasteful mansion, enjoying the fruits of honest toll.

Mr. SMITH was married January 22, 1833, to Mrs. Sallie KENEDY, also a native of Kentucky. They had one child, Wm. T. SMITH, who now resides in Linn county, Kansas. When Mr. SMITH first emigrated to Illinois it was still a wilderness, comparatively speaking. Deer were plenty upon the prairies and wolves abundant. Neighbors then were, in many instances, miles apart, and the paths from house to house cut across unfenced woods and prairies. But, gradually, one settler after another dropped in, prairies were fenced and broken farther and farther from timber, until, at the present writing, it would be hard to find any of the native prairie grass in Scott county. Lands rose in value, until Mr. SMITH was able to realize some $50,000 for his purchases, which he converted into greenbacks, and removed to Winchester. He is now one of the most influential citizens of Winchester-a man of public spirit, and proud of his adopted Prairie State. He invested a good portion of his funds in stock in the First National Bank of Winchester, from which, without further trouble than attending the monthly meetings of stockholders, he realizes a handsome profit.

In January, 1862, Mr. SMITH lost his first wife, and in the month of November following he was again married to Mrs. Eliza BROMFIELD. Mr. SMITH is a zealous and pious Christian, prompt in his attendance upon divine service, and faithful in the discharge of every Christian duty. Since he removed to Winchester, he has set an example which other men of means should follow, by building many fine and beautiful tenant houses, thus adding to the size of the town, affording homes for young men starting in the world, and older ones, who have not been so successful as Mr. SMITH, and at the same time making a profitable and safe investment capital.