John K Smith and his wife Eliza were born in New York and came to Downers Grove Township with their five children sometime after 1841. They farmed in the area. John, his wife and daughters, Sarah, Margarette, Emma are buried in Main Street Cemetery.
Sons Gerald and John served in the Civil War. Gerald served in Company A in the 156th Illinois Infantry and his brother John served in Company H of the 141st Illinois Infantry. They apparently never returned to Downers Grove, but their Civil War service is recognized with a bronze marker at the foot of this headstone.
