The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-12-05
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New CUMBERLAND, WA, Dec. A.
Senator B. ]. Smith passed quietly away
Mt his home on Ridge avenue at G o'clock
this evening, after protracted illness.
The Senator had reached his seventieth
year, and has for forty-four years been a
citizen Of this community, identified
with all the great industries OF this i'm
mediate valley and a leader in all its
business enterprises. He came to Han.
cock county in 1S46 and engaged with
the late James S. Porter in the manu-
factuIe OF fire brick, when that business
was in it's infancy, and by his busincss
ability ana sterling worth attained to
marked success in the business, giving it
his personal supervision and control,
and bss for years been the senior mem.
ber OF the firm OF Smith Il Porter, after.
wards McMahan, Porter K Co., also of
Smith, Porter 4 Co., large sewer pipe
and fro brick manufacturers.
5l Such was his standing and the con Il.
: dence OF his business associates in his
ability and management that, in 1878,
when all the fire brick interests were
consolidated In the West Virginia cor.
poration having the sale and control OF
ihe fire brick product Of this valley, he
was unanimously elected President OF
the same, and 30 renamed until, on &C.
count Of failing health, he resigned.
ift- AN noNoRED CITIZEN.
He was for many years Justice OF the
Peace, end alEo member OF the County
Court. lie was often urged to accept
judiciary trusie, and such was the con-
fdeHce OF bis business associates in bis
ability and judgment that bis aid was
often invoked 10 aid in the adjustment
Of many perp!exiug and trying business
difficulties. &5.
He was the senior member Of the well.
known Citizens Bank, organized in 1854
by himseliaH Judge John A. Campbsll.
: He was an earnest and liberal friend OF
education and in early years contribut-
ing TO the education Of the poor and
giving such OF his Sons as desired it
liberal education in the best colleges OF
the land. He was pioneer Republican
from away back: He was for Abraham
Lincoln in 1860, and right here, where it
tried mems souls 10 make such political
profession, was pronounced aud radical
in his convictions. Yet the makeup of
the man was conservative. He had an
intuitive knowledge OF the right thing
to do and an intuiiiye respect for the
rights OF others. ~
- HIS LATER DAYS.
He MAS prominent member OF the
West Virginia Legislature in 1865 and
'GG, and supported the then editor Of
the INrELLIdENcEs, Hon. A. W. Camp
bell, for United States Senator.
1 He was q prominent member OF the
Presbyterian church Of this place, and
for years one OF its trustees and it's
treasurer. He was respected and loved
by all, as shown by the fact that the
venerable pastor OF tho church, who had
+ known him for forty yearl rs a valued
counsellor, broke down aud wept like a
child rs he stood to-day over the bedside
OF the dying Senator. fhe death, though
not unexpected, has fallen like pail
/ over the town and the expressions OF
sorrow and bereavement are widespread
and universal. Senator Smith never
sought an Office nor was he ever de.
feated in any candidacy. He was with.
out the advantages Of carly education
ana was pre-eminently sell-made man.
~ He was unanimously nominated ior
State Senator in 1883 and elected at the
time OF the Presidential election OF that
( year, but by reason OF declining health
he has scarcely been cble for the du,ies
OF his Office. A generous and noble
man, a typical American citizen has
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