In studying the interesting life histories of many of the better class of
men, and the ones of unquestioned merit and honor, it will be found that
they have been compelled, very largely, to map out their own career and
furnish their own motive force in scaling the heights of success, and it is
such a one that the biographer is pleased to write in the paragraphs that
follow.
Benjamin M. Smith, the well-known cashier of the Salem State
Bank; was born in Central City, Illinois, December 11, 1877, the son of
Samuel J. Smith, a native of St. Clair county, Illinois, and a gentleman of
many sterling traits who became a man of considerable influence in his
community, some of whose commendable characteristics are inherited by his
son, our subject. Samuel J. Smith came to Marion county when a young man and
was engaged in the milling business of which he made pronounced success,
having been in the county several years when the Civil war began, and he
continued in this business during the progress of the Rebellion. He took
much interest in public affairs. He was County Treasurer and County Clerk
for twenty years and Deputy County Treasurer for four years. During his long
official record he conducted the affairs that were entrusted to him in a
manner that reflected great credit upon his ability and in a way that
elicited much favorable comment but no criticism from his contemporaries and
constituents. He was called to his rest April 5, 1906, after an eminently
successful and useful life.
The subject's grandfather, Benjamin J.
Smith, who was a native of the old Pine Tree state (Maine), is remembered as
a man of unusual fortitude and courage, having been a composite of the usual
elements that go into the makeup of pioneers. He came west in early life and
was one of the first settlers of St. Clair county, Illinois, of which county
he was at one time Sheriff, one of the best, in fact, that the county ever
had. He was an active business man all his life, having been in the
commission business in Chicago for a number of years, where he became well
known in the business circles of the city in those days. He was born in
1801, and after, a remarkably active career, reaching a venerable age,
passed to the silent land when in his ninetieth year.
The mother of
the subject was in her maidenhood Mary E. Martin, who was born in Ohio on a
farm near Wellsville. She is in many respects a remarkable character,
benign, affable and her influence has always been wholesome and uplifting,
so that even in the golden evening of her life she is a blessing to those
with whom she comes in contact. She is the mother of three children, namely:
Irene, who died in infancy; Irma, a woman of fine traits; and Benjamin M.,
our subject.
Thus after a resume of the subject's worthy ancestors we
are not surprised that he has achieved unusual distinction in his community,
and to him the future evidently has much of good in store.
Benjamin
M. Smith attended school in Salem, graduating from the high school where he
had made a splendid record for scholarship and deportment. Feeling that he
was destined for a business career, and following in the footsteps of his
father and grandfather, he early began preparations to enter the industrial
field, and in order to prepare himself more thoroughly took a course in the
Bryant & Stratton Business College at St. Louis, Missouri, standing in the
front rank of his class when he graduated in 1900. Mr. Smith has been
actively engaged in business since he was sixteen years old and he showed at
that early age that he was destined to the highest success. He seems to be
best fitted to the management of banking institutions, although he turns
everything into success that he under-takes. He has been cashier of banks
for seven years in 1908. He was cashier of the Haymond State Bank, now the
First National Bank at Kinmundy, Illinois, for two years, during which time
the business of this institution greatly increased. Then he came to Salem
and became associated with the Salem State Bank of which he is a stockholder
and director and one of the organizers, in fact, one of the moving spirits
of the institution. Mr. Smith was also a director in the bank at Kinmundy
and is still a stockholder in the same. Both these institutions recognize
his unusual industrial ability and peculiar aptitude for managing the
affairs of a banking concern and the officials are not reluctant to give him
all due credit for the great work he has done in placing these banks on a
firm foundation and making them among the solid and well known institutions
of their kind in this part of the state.
Fraternally Mr. Smith
belongs to the Masonic Order, Knights Templar; also the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen and the Eagles, and one
would judge from his consistent daily life that he believes in carrying out
the sublime principles and doctrines of these worthy orders. In politics our
subject is a loyal Democrat, but he has not found time to take an active
part in political affairs. However, he believes in placing the best men
possible in local offices and his support can always be depended upon in the
advancement of any cause looking to the development and betterment of his
community and county.
Mr. Smith has preferred single blessedness and
has never assumed the responsibilities of the married state.
Our
subject is a very strong character in every respect and" although he is yet
quite a young man he has shown by his past excel-lent and praiseworthy
record that he is a man of unusual industrial ability and the future will-
doubtless be replete with honors and success for him.
Extracted 03 Nov 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 82-84.