A History of Masonry in Madison County, Kentucky 1812-1913, compiled 
and written by Robert R. Burnam, 1914, p.  94.

CLAUDE MELNOTTE SMITH, son of William H. Smith and Laura C. Hoyt (both were 
English by birth), was born in Madison, Indiana, December 5, 1847.  His 
parents came to Richmond before the Civil War and here the youth received 
his education.  He was by trade a painter and together with his father 
shortly after the war, began the building of high grade vehicles.  This was 
continued until he removed to Irvine, Kentucky, about 1868.  While there he 
married Miss Sbepherd and continued to live there for a number of years.  
He was initiated in Irvine Lodge No. 137 in 1880 and received all the 
degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry during his residence in Irvine.  
Subsequently he removed to Richmond and opened a hardware store.  Having 
demitted from Irvine Lodge, where he had served as hipster three times, he 
affiliated with No. 25 November, 1886.  He was elected Master December, 
1889, and again December, 1897.  He received the Chapter degrees in 1892; 
was Knighted in Richmond Commandery in 1893; was elected Eminent Commander 
April, 1900, serving one year.  In 1911 he removed to California because of 
his health.  He asked for and received his demits from local Masonic bodies 
in 1912 and affiliated with those of that far Western Jurisdiction.  Sir 
Smith was at one time mayor of Richmond.  He is a devoted member of the 
Episcopal Church and a worthy Mason.  He is a modest, polite gentleman and 
worthy of all honors which have come to him.  He will be remembered ever by 
his friends in Kentucky.

Smith Hoyt Shepherd
=
Madison-IN Estill-KY CA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/madison/smith.cm.txt