Snow Hill, where he died in 1850, leaving his son John
an orphan, with but small means available for his educa-
tion and support. After his father's death, Col. Smith's
relation, the late Walter P. Snow, an able lawyer and a
man much beloved in his community, was appointed
guardian, and upon Mr. Snow's death, the late Senator
Wilson became his guardian. He was sent to school at
Union Academy in Snow Hill, where he pursued the
English and classical course of that institution. At
school he was noted for his studious habits and good
scholarship, excelling especially in mathematics. He left
school at the age of eighteen to accept aposition as clerk
in the large mercantile house of George H. Richardson
& Brother, of Snow Hill. In this position he soon evinced
an unusual talent for business, and as a result was taken
in as a partner in the firm while still quite a young man.
This firm, now known as Richardson, Smith, Moore &
Co., after Mr. Smith became a member of it, engaged
largely in the lumber business, both in his county and
in Virginia, and has been eminently successful. Colonel
Smith is today a wealthy man, though in the prime of life.
The firm, of which he is a member, has been of great
service, largely through his instrumentality, to the labor-
ing people of Snow Hill and Worcester county, giving
employment to a large number of laborers and other
employees. Nor has he overlooked the interests of the
farmers, for it was through his influence that the large
canning factory of which he is owner, was located in
Snow Hill. In 1887, he helped to organize the First
National Bank of Snow Hill, and was elected its presi-
dent. Though so actively engaged in business pursuits,
he has yet had time to indulge a natural fondness for
politics. For many years he has been prominent and
influential in the politics of his county and State, and
during these years, no man has served his friends in
politics more faithfully and unselfishly than he. He has
been many times a delegate to State and Congressional
conventions. In the State convention of 1887, he was an
earnest supporter of Governor Jackson, and did more,
perhaps, than any other man in bringing about that
gentleman's nomination. In 1880 he was a delegate to
the Congressional convention which met in Salisbury
and aided in securing the nomination of Mr. Covington,
after a hard fought battle. At the next convention, in
1882, he again was one of Mr. Covington's delegates, and