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William H Smith
WILLIAM H. SMITH, for many years closely identified with various branches
of the oil industry in Armstrong county, is one of the representative business
men of Kittanning. He was born Nov. 25, 1864, in Perry township, this county,
son of Jacob and Esther Jane (George) Smith, and grandson of Henry Smith.
Henry Smith during his latter years was engaged in boatbuilding.Jacob Smith was a carpenter and river pilot, serving in the latter capacity
for many years, piloting lumber rafts down the Allegheny river. Eleven
children were born to him and his wife: Ida May; Lewis; Samuel A.; Anna, wife
of Curtin McCullough; Charles E.; Emma, wife of Harry McMurtry; Maud, wife of
Thomas Reichart; George E.; Harry; Alta, wife of Rev. Earl Thompson, a
Methodist minister, and William H. the father of this family died in 1901.
Several years prior to his death he joined the Methodist Church, and he served
on its official board.William H. Smith attended school in Clarion county, Pa., and when fourteen
years old began working as a section hand on the railroad, thus continuing
until seventeen years old. He then went to the oil fields of Warren, Pa., and
worked as rig builder for two years, after which he became a tool dresser.
Continuing as such for three years, he next began drilling wells, and gained
so valuable an experience that in 1901, he began contracting and drilling, in
partnership with other experts in this line of business. Mr. Smith has been
unusually successful, and has accumulated a handsome competence. At present he
is in partnership with W. A. Louden. In conjunction with their oil drilling
business the firm handle all kinds of repair wares and the equipments and
tools required in this work, operating a first-class machine shop. Since 1901,
Mr. Smith has drilled about one hundred and fifty wells, and owns an interest
in twenty-one producing wells. He is an expert, understanding thoroughly every
branch of his business, and has well earned his success.In August, 1890, Mr. Smith married Melissa Fair, daughter of John Fair, of
Clarion county, Pa. Six children have been born of this marriage: Charles R.,
Ida L., Esther L., Gladys (deceased), Arnold F. and Wilda B. Mr. Smith is a
member of the Order of American Mechanics, the Knights of the Maccabees and
the Order of Unity.Source: Pages 580-581, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and
Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed January 1999 by Connie Mateer for the Armstrong County Beers
Project
Contributed for use by the Armstrong County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/armstrong/)Armstrong County Genealogy Project Notice:
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