Earl Clemmons Smith, born in Pike County on February 19, 1881, lived here and began farming his grandmother Clemmons' land at this site in 1907. A distinguished agricultural leader, he became active in the early national farm bureau movement as farmers organized to strengthen their political clout. He was a charter member and president of the Pike County Farm Bureau. In 1928, Smith was elected president of the Illinois Agricultural Association -- Illinois Farm Bureau -- and served until 1945. He concurrently served as vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation from 1936 to 1945. Nationally, he was active in the fight for "Parity for Agriculture," which sought government action to help farmers achieve income levels comparable to those earned from 1910 to 1914, a profitable period for farmers. His work brought relief to farmers through U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first and second Agricultural Adjustment Acts. Under his leadership, the organization established businesses to serve farmers, including Growmark and the FS member companies, Prairie Farms Dairy, and Country Insurance and Financial Services, which today are among the largest and most successful businesses in Illinois. In retirement, Smith continued to farm in Pike County, and he died on June 30, 1961. He was a clear voice and steady leader for agriculture who advanced the philosophy that farmers must act to protect their futures and cooperate with others to achieve success.