W. H. SMITH.
Some men are natural organizers and blessed with such a deep love for the well being of their fellowmen that their activities are to a considerable extent devoted to spreading the gospel of good fellowship among mankind. The social and fraternal orders which are popular among men of any locality are simply the outgrowth of that desire, for the realization of a great dream for the “Brotherhood of Man,” which was predicted 2,000 years ago. A man who furthers the growth of organizations which have the welfare of the individual, singly and collectively, at heart is doing a considerable amount of definite good for the betterment of social conditions. Such a citizen is W. H. Smith, the widely known and efficient clerk of the district court of Atchison county, and a likeable and able personality, who figures prominently in the history of his county.
Mr. Smith was born February 3, 1855, at Knoxville, Ill. He is a son of John and Harriet (Gibbons) Smith, natives of England. John Smith, the father, was born in 1808, and died in the year 1863. He was a scion of an English family and was a graduate of Oxford University. He became a contractor and builder in his native land, but immigrated to America with his wife and three children in 1852, settling in Knoxville, Ill., where he died eleven years later. He was the father of the following children: Mrs. Sarah Ann Simpson, deceased; Mrs. Harriet Ann Webb, of Burlington Junction, Mo.; Charles E., of Sierra Blanca, Texas, employed as a stationary engineer by the Texas Pacific railway since 1880. The mother of these children departed this life February 2, 1890, aged seventy-eight years, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Simpson.
W. H. Smith was reared in Knoxville, Ill. Being left an orphan at an early age, by the death of his father, it was necessary for him to start work when a boy and practically earn his own living and educate himself. By working on neighboring farms during the spring and summer he was enabled to attend school during the winter months, and succeeded in attending the Knoxville high school. He did farm work until 1865 and then learned the printing trade in Knoxville, being attached to the staff of the Knoxville Republican during the winter of 1866 and ’67, and remained until 1874 in that capacity. At the early age of twenty years he wedded Elmira Kistler, and then settled on a farm in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, on which was located a tannery. He operated both farm and tannery until 1880, when he decided to cast his fortunes in the western country. March 2, 1880, he came to Atchison with his family and moved to a farm near Good Intent, five miles northwest of Atchison. The year before this he had made a trip to Atchison county and invested in eighty acres of land which was partly improved. He developed this tract into a very fine farm and sold it at a considerable advance over and above the purchase price in 1895. In the spring of 1890 Mr. Smith removed to Atchison and for three years served as night agent at the union station for the Wells, Fargo and American Express companies. He then bought an interest in the Home Show Printing Company, and was connected with this concern in active capacity for a period of twelve years, or until 1905. The printing company was then taken over by other parties and he continued working in the office until 1909.
During his residence in Atchison county previous to this time, Mr. Smith had become prominently identified with the Republican party and had become known as a “wheel horse” of the organization and universally esteemed by the rank and file of the party. He was elected to the office of clerk of the district court in the fall of 1908, and began the duties of his office in January of 1909. He was reëlected in 1912 and again in 1914. He was elected without opposition from any source in 1912, and overcame his opponent in 1914 by the immense plurality of 3,010 votes. For a period of three years he was secretary of the Republican central committee, and was for six years a member of the first Atchison county high school board, being one of the surviving members of the original board which erected the county high school at Effingham, and was likewise a member of the board which rebuilt the school house when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Smith was a member of this board while still a resident of the county and took a prominent part in the inauguration of this worthy institution, which has been so much appreciated by the people of Atchison county.
In religious matters Mr. Smith is identified with the Episcopal church. Probably no man in Atchison county is identified with a greater number of fraternal organizations than is he. He became a member of the Odd Fellows August 2, 1882, and is also a member of the encampment. Since January 1, 1915, he has served as a secretary of Friendship Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 5, and has been scribe of the encampment for the past fifteen years. For eighteen years he has been secretary of the board of trustees of the Odd Fellows lodge and is affiliated with the Rebekahs, and is a member of the canton. Since 1880 he has been a member of the Central Protective Association and was practically its originator, and has been the grand secretary of the order since 1886. The first of the annual outings and picnics held by this famous association was conducted in the grove on Mr. Smith’s farm. Visitors and guests to the number of 10,000 people have attended these picnics. Mr. Smith has been a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen since 1895, and recorder of the order for thirteen years. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and has been their banker for six years past. He is affiliated with the Knights and Ladies of Security; the Kansas Fraternal Citizens; a member of Atchison Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 173, and its secretary since 1904. Before removing to Atchison he was secretary of the Central Protective Association at Good Intent for five years. He is at present serving his second term as State secretary of the Kansas Eagles, and has held various offices in the State aerie, including the important post of State representative. Since 1895 Mr. Smith has been a member of the Modern Woodmen; is a member of the Fraternal Aid Union, and the Improved Order of Red Men, and is an honorary member of the Typographical Union.
Mr. Smith’s happy wedded life began July 4, 1874, when he married Elmira, daughter of Joel and Matilda Kistler, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, members of an old Pennsylvania family. Joel Kistler was a large land owner and tannery operator in Lehigh county. He and his brother, Stephen, operated a number of tanneries, and were extensive farmers, and were very wealthy. Joel Kistler came west, located in Knoxville, Ill., and invested heavily in Illinois land. He died at Stony Run, Berks county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Kistler died at Schnecksville, Pa. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born the following children: Estella, born July 14, 1875, deceased; Harriet Matilda, born June 6, 1876, wife of J. A. Wilkinson, of Hershey, Pa., and the mother of two children, John J., aged twelve years, and Michael aged eight years; Isabelle, born December 15, 1880, wife of Dr. J. E. Exter, of Atchison, and mother of one child, Eugene, aged five years; Pearl, born October 12, died April 25, 1890; Helen, born May 1, 1885, wife of R. H. Jones, chief train dispatcher for the Missouri Pacific railroad at Falls City, Neb., and mother of one child, Mary Elmira, aged six years; Frank Gibbons Smith, born August 8, 1891, and died February 23, 1901.
W. H. Smith is considered as one of the best officials who has ever filled a county office, and he is held in high esteem for his many excellent qualities. To his many friends and associates he is affectionately known as “Big Bill,” an appropriate name on account of his large stature, and an appellation which can well be applied to his heart and mind. While large of body, he is also big-hearted and blessed with a breadth of mind and good will which embraces all mankind.