Farm History
Walter Carson, born on June 19, 1816, and deceased on December 16, 1865, alongside his wife Harriet Carson, born April 1, 1820, and who passed away on June 6, 1906, were early settlers in Illinois.
The Carson’s arrived in Illinois in 1854 via a covered wagon and acquired a portion of their farm in 1856. Before the Carson’s arrival, the land had been held by the United States Government and transferred via a land grant as payment for military service. The Carson’s were the first to own and operate the land as a farm in what they referred to as the then-western frontier. Their travel from Ohio to IL by wagon was documented in a detailed diary, that was separated from the farm family to other Carson family members and has since been lost. The Walter Carson family included three children: William, born October 31, 1837, in Ohio; Lucinda J., born October 21, 1849, also in Ohio; and Nancy, born February 13, 1861, in Illinois.
Nancy Carson, later known as Nancy Smith, married Samuel Smith, and they had a son, Harry Smith, born July 1, 1891. Samuel and Nancy’s marriage ended in divorce when Harry was just four years old. The reasons for the divorce were never disclosed by Nancy, and Harry remained unaware of the specifics.
Harry Smith’s only recollection of his grandfather, Samuel Smith, was a brief visit to his grandfather’s deathbed when Harry was a young child. Samuel, who had remarried in Ohio after the divorce, had two children from his second marriage who are now deceased.
Harry Smith’s contact with his grandfather was limited to that one poignant moment, which his mother cherished as a source of pride.
Following the death of her brother, William Carson, on January 12, 1912, and her sister, Lucinda, on September 11, 1911, Nancy inherited the remaining interest in the farm. At the time of their passing, Harry was 21 years old.
Harry had attended a one-room country school in Gerlaw, IL and completed the eighth grade, returning during the winter months to continue his education.
Upon William’s death, Harry took over the management and operation of the farm. He received assistance from hired help and guidance from Del Lantz, a neighboring farmer who later became a partner in a registered Duroc Jersey hog business.
This partnership saw them showcase their breed at various fairs for several years.
However, Harry’s wife, Alma Bernice, grew weary of managing the farm in his absence, prompting a move into Monmouth in September 1935. Harry and A. Bernice had one son Roger G. Smith born June 17, 1921. Roger also attended the same one-room school at Gerlaw, IL through 8th grade, then attended and graduated from Monmouth High School. Roger was pursuing his college education when his education was interrupted by World War II.
Nancy Carson Smith passed away on November 17, 1934, prior to the family’s relocation. After Nancy Carson Smith passed away, Harry continued to own and manage the farm until his death in 1964.
Ownership and management of the farm passed to Harry’s son Roger who continued to own and manage the farm until he died in 2002. The farm was inherited by Roger’s wife Jane E (Morgan) Smith who continued to own and manage the farm interests until her passing on February 14, 2018. Upon Jane’s death, full ownership and management went to Roger & Janes’s son Timothy S. Smith who then placed the farm into the Carson-Smith Farm LLC, and continued as the manager for the Carson-Smith Farm LLC an IL limited liability corporation owned by Timothy Smith and Sherry L. Smith.
In 2024 the farm property was sold by public auction as none of the surviving family members resided in Illinois and none were interested in pursuing an agricultural career.
Carson-Smith Farm, LLC • Gerlaw, IL • Established 1856
An Illinois Sesquicentennial Farm
