Henry F. Smith Biography Fairmont WV

Little is known of the Smith family of which Henry F. Smith, the secretary and treasurer of the extensive Smith-Race Grocery Company, of Fairmont and Morgantown, West Virginia, is a member.

Charles L. Smith, father of Henry F. Smith, was born in Fairmont, when the territory was yet a part of old Virginia, in 1837. He married Cordelia Richey, a native of Fairmont, born in 1839. They had seven children, including Henry F., see forward. Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Smith celebrated their golden wedding, February 27, 1912, all of their children being present on this occasion.

Henry F., son of Charles L. and Cordelia (Richey) Smith, was born at Fairmont, then Virginia, May 3, 1863. He was educated at the common schools at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia University. He came back to Fairmont in 1886, and in 1893 was one of the organizers of the West Virginia Grocery and Candy Company. In 1906 the company was reorganized as the Smith-Race Grocery Company, with a capital of $200,000, which subsequently was increased to $300,000. Mr. Smith is the secretary and treasurer of this company, which concern also has a branch plant at Morgantown, West Virginia, equally as extensive as the one at Fairmont. Mr. Smith is president of the Monongahela Industrial Company and vice-president of the First National Bank of Fairmont. Politically Mr. Smith is a supporter of the Republican party, and in church affiliations is a Presbyterian. In Masonic circles he is far advanced in its ancient mysteries and history. He is a member of the fraternity to the thirty-second degree. He holds a membership in Fairmont Lodge, No. 9, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Orient Chapter, No. 9, Royal Arch Masons; Crusade Commandery, No. 6, Knights Templar; and has filled all the offices in these bodies. He also belongs to the Consistory, Scottish Rite Masons, of West Virginia; is a member of Osiris Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Wheeling, West Virginia. He is present grand generalissimo of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of West Virginia. He has been a Mason since 1888. He is a member of the Association of the Sons of the Revolution of West Virginia.

He married, June 6, 1889, Anna M. Gould, born in Fairmont, West Virginia, February 28, 1865. Mrs. Smith is a member of Fairmont Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution.

Personal and Genealogical History of the Upper Monongahela Valley West Virginia, Vol 2, Illustrated, Bernard Butcher, ed; Lewsi Historical Publ Co, NY 1912 pp 500

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