He served as Deputy Sheriff under Charles H. Miller for 2 years, and was elected Sheriff of Berkeley County 1896-1900. He was appointed a member of the Board of Equalization
at its formation and held that office continuously (under four governors) until July 1, 1926, when he resigned because of ill health. The board was created by the Legislature in 1902 and its purpose was a more
equitable assessed valuation of the real estate throughout the county.
He married Miss Emma Thatcher, a member of the Thatcher family of Tuscarora; they had two sons: Henry Lott Smith and John W. Smith.
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James H. SMITH, the son of William Smith, together with I.B. Snodgrass, represented Berkeley County in the 17th Legislature of West Virginia at Wheeling January 14, 1885.
Submitted by Marilyn Gouge and extracted from History of Berkeley County, West Virginia, 1928