BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 611-612.


JOSEPH B. SMITH -  One of Bellaire's most prominent attorneys and citizens
is Joseph B. Smith. Mr. Smith was born in Columbiana county, March 29, 1826.
His early education was obtained in the public schools of Columbiana county.
He afterward taught school for some years, the first school that he taught
being in Clearfield county, Penn., near the spot where William Penn placed
the boundary line of his purchase from the Indians. Mr. Smith first began
the study of the law in 1849, under Judge Clark, of New Lisbon, Ohio, with
whom he remained for two years, he then taught school for one year in
Kentucky, after which, in 1851, he was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati.
He first began the practice of his profession in Columbiana county, at
Hanoverton, where he remained for some six years, he then went to Brown
county, Kan., and was elected from the fourth district to the state senate.
In the following year he returned to Ohio, coming to Bellaire soon after
his return, and began the practice of the law in Belmont county. In the
past he has been an active worker in the ranks of the republican party,
having run on that ticket for prosecuting attorney. Although still loyal
he has retired from aggressive political work. In 1850 Eliza R. Preston
became his wife. Mrs. Smith was also a native of Columbiana county. Four
children were born to them: Hartwell S., Willie L., Ulysses J. and Ledria
M. Mrs. Smith died in July, 1883, and Mr. Smith was again marned in 1884
to Mrs. H. A. Watson, daughter of John H. Heaton, of St. Clairsville, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are active members of the Presbyterian church. Few men
make more of a success in the practice of the law than Mr. Smith. His
services are in demand in several of the largest cities of the state, and
he is looked upon as one of the most eminent lawyers of the Belmont county
bar, P. W. and Sarah (Trotter) Smith were the parents of the above. The
father was a native of Ireland, and the mother of Pennsylvania. P. W. was
the son of Robert Smith. He was the father of ten children, all dead but
one. P. W. Smith was three years old when he came to the United States.
He was educated in Pennsylvania, and afterward went to Columbiana county,
Ohio, where he taught school. Robert came to this country in 1790,
locating in Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1812, when he moved to
Columbiana county, remaining there until his death in 1854. P. W. Smith
spent the last years of his life on a farm. November, 1823, he was married.
He was the father of eight children, five of them living. The oldest son
is Gen. R. W. Smith, of Chicago. The mother died February 22, 1875, and
the father October 12, 1875. His sister, Sarah W., has since died in Iowa,
and his brothers, John C. and James T., in California.