William Henry Smith - When and with whom did he arrive in Chicago?

My dad's great grandfather and my great great grandfather, William Henry Smith, or William H. Smith or W. H. Smith or just William Smith depending on what record you find him in, was born in Brooklyn, New York. His place of birth was noted as Brooklyn in his death record and in his obituary it is noted that he came from Brooklyn. Other records including his children's birth records stated that he was born in New York City. My Smith line stops with William. I do hope to make more progress.

William H. Smith's death record

Now to figure out when William H. Smith arrived in Chicago, Illinois. I do not know if he came to Chicago with his parents or as a single person or maybe with some other people he knew from Brooklyn. At this point it is hard to know what the correct circumstances of his arrival were. I have 3 clues as to when he arrived in Chicago. The clues I am referring to are the Chicago Voter Registration Records of 1888, 1890 and 1892. I have been able to determine the correct W. H. Smith by his street address 215 and 265 Illinois St. I have this addresses from multiple sources, such as: the birth record of his daughter Adelyn (Adaleine) in 1881; the birth record of his daughter Roberta in 1894; the 1900 Chicago, Cook, Illinois census; his 1903 death record; the address is also listed in other children's birth records.

W. H. Smith 1888 Chicago Voter Registration 215 Illinois St.

In the far right columns you can see three sets of years listed. These are the "Term of Residence." The first is 3 years living in this precinct; the second is 30 years living in Cook County; the third is 30 years living in the state of Illinois. On the far left are three sets of numbers as well.
The second column indicates that he was living in the 24th Ward of Chicago and the third column tells us that he was living in the 15th precinct.

Wm. H. Smith 1890 Chicago Voter Registration 215 Illinois St.

He is still living in the 24th ward and the 15th precinct. In the far right 3 columns he reports: 30 years in this precinct (15th); 30 years living in Cook County; 30 years living in the state of Illinois.

Two years have passed between these two voter registration records but the dates of living in Cook County and the state of Illinois are the same. Obviously the dates are an approximation and not exact. The precinct date is interesting with 3 years and then 30 years. Well, I am thinking that a mistake was listed on the first voter registration record because on William's daughter Adelyn's (Adaleine's) 1881 birth certificate it states that the family residence as 215 Illinois St.

W. H. Smith 1892 Chicago Voter Registration 265 Illinois St.

This record places the Smith family at a slightly different address of 265 Illinois St. rather than the 215 Illinois St. of the previous two records. They are still are living in the 24th ward and 15th precinct. "Term of Residence" states they have been living in the precinct for 35 years; Cook County for 35 years; 35 years in the state of Illinois. Again the years of residence seem to be approximate rather than exact.

So, somewhere between 1857 and 1860 - William Henry Smith arrived in Chicago, Illinois. Of course these dates could vary by a year or so, as well. I have struggled to find him before he married Mary Carbine. The joys of an uncommon surname like Carbine is a very happy thing.

I do have several people that could potentially be my William H. Smith in the 1870 census but it is hard to tell at this point. I need more clues, more information pointing me in the correct direction. I will continue to search until I feel satisfied. Wish me lots of luck.