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 557-558.


HIRAM W. SMITH, vice president of the Commercial bank of Martin's
Ferry, was born in Washington county, Penn., March 23, 1821. He is
the son of Henry and Barbara (Everly) Smith, who had four children,
of whom Hiram W. is the only survivor. The father was born in
England, and came to the United States at an early day in the
settlement of the Ohio valley, locating in Washington county, Penn.,
which was his home until death, which occurred in 1839, in his
fifty- fourth year.  He was in early life a school teacher, but
became one of the pioneers of the coal business on the Monongahela
river, continuing in that trade during the remainder of his life.
The subject of this sketch when but fifteen years of age, having
received a slight education in the public schools, became engaged
in the coal trade with his father and brothers. In 1838 he formed
a partnership with his brothers, Jehu P. and Lewis E., under the
title of Smith & Bros., and they continued in business until the
death of Lewis in 1872, after which Mr. Smith and his surviving
brother kept up the business until 1879, when the latter died,
and Mr. Smith disposed of their steamers and barges and leased
their mines. During a good portion of the time while in the coal
business, Mr. Smith acted as captain and pilot between Pittsburgh
and New Orleans, and gained an extensive knowledge of the lower
river. Having been a director in the First National bank of Bridge-
port, Ohio, from its organization, and acquired some knowledge of
banking, in 1872, in company with James A. Gray, he established
the Commercial bank of Martin's Ferry, of which he served fifteen
years as cashier before being elected to his present position. In
1886 George H. Smith and James A. Dixon became partners, George H.
Smith was chosen cashier, and Dixon, assistant cashier. Mr. Smith
is one of the leaders in business of the town, popular with all,
and prominent in the various avenues of social activity. For
several years he has served as a member of the town council. He
and wife are active members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Smith
was married in 1844, to Martha, daughter of George Sharpless, who
was one of the first settlers of Belmont county, and by this union
had eight children, six of whom survive. This wife died in 1865,
and in 1867 he was maried to Angeline Lash, and widow of Platoff
McNeely, by whom he has two children: Ernest J. and Howard F.