John Smith, Soldier from Chicago.

John Smith is a second great grandfather of Christopher David Monson. He is the father of Jackie's grand father, George Jacob Smith. John saw 3 1/3 years service in the Union Army during the Civil War. Here is a copy I made of his Honorable Discharge. This document may be the oldest piece of paper in my possession.

John went in the Army on 1 Dec 1861 and was discharged 12 Apr 1865. He was 5 foot 5 inches tall and dark complexioned. He was 19, so must have been 16 when he went into the Army. I do not know where he was born but he was discharged in Chicago. He was a shoemaker when he went into the Army.

I know that he married Anna Reader (born in Switzerland) in 1868. They had eight children between 1869 and 1886. Only three of the children survived until her passing.

I am researching John and Anna. Interesting couple. Anna was buried in Olney, Illinois.

Notice that John was given a bounty of $100 when he was discharged.