U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Smoot Family in Preston County --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 616-623 The name of Smoot is truly American if length of year's residence Americanizes a name as well as the man. One of the record books in the Land office at Annapolis, Md. evidences the fact that William Smoot, the progenitor of the Smoot family in America, transported himself, his wife, family and servants into the province of Maryland at his own expense on or about April 6, 1646 and that in consideration thereof certain lands lying on the Potomac river were conveyed to him by indenture dated June 12, 1646, at St. Inegoes Fort. This William Smoot was a prominent man in the business transactions of his time and neighborhood. He was a native of England, having in 1633 employed men to work for him in Virginia while still living in England. He traded largely in lands, cattle and tobacco. That he opposed England's tyranny he exemplified in shipping his tobacco to other countries than England and claimed for so doing his share of the "Dutch Crestones" then in operation under Lord Baltimore. William iSmoot owned vessels, one of which he bought from Leonard Calvert. He was one of the appraisers of the Leonard Calvert estate, for which he received two thousand pounds of tobacco from Margaret Brent, who purchased that estate. There are records of many business transactions between Mrs. Margaret Brent and William Smoot. That he was a man of influence is verified by the court records — if he sued a man who failed to appear in defense, William Smoot would be awarded so much for his trouble in coming to court. If William Smoot was sued and acquitted he also was awarded "tobacco and hogshead to hold it, for his trouble in coming forty miles to court." He also sat on the juries of that day. In 1667 the court of Maryland decided that "upon Smoot's Creek in Charles County shall be one of the places mentioned and appointed for a town." The two sons of William Smoot, Richard and Thomas, each married a sister of Lieutenant-Colonel William Barton, as each in his will referred to Lieutenant-Colonel William Barton as "brother- in-law." Thomas Smoot in his will 1704 mentions "Barton" as eldest son. The name of "Barton" was retained by the line of Smoots who early became residents of Preston county, and this affords evidence of the connection of the Preston County families to those of early colonial times. Smoot I: One John Smoot, whose wife's name was Mary, bought land in Hampshire County, Virginia, in 1790. Of his family of twelve children, "Barton" was the eldest, "Solomon, second son," "James, deceased." "Children and wife of deceased James," also William Jacob, Joshua, Joseph, Mary Cornet, Susanna Haize, Lucrecy, and two youngest daughters, Charity and Priscilla, according to his will recorded in Hampshire County, Va., in 1808. Of the above family it is known that James Smoot was a member of the Hampshire County Militia in 1790, and that Barton Smoot was a miller at a merchant mill in Fox's Hollow — a mill built in 1818 — and he being the fourth miller. The same mill still in operation as late as 1897. Smoot II: JOSHUA SMOOT, the son of John and Mary _____ Smoot, married Mary Haines, born March, 1794, in Baltimore County, Md. They were married previous to 1817, as in that year they executed a deed to property in Hampshire Co., Va. The farm they owned and occupied as a home was on the waters of the Great Cacapon river in Hampshire county. They executed a deed for this in 1835 after they had taken up their residence in Preston County, Va. They first located south of Newiburg near old "Scotch Hill," but shortly bought land on the present site of Newburg, and built the first dwelling house there, which still remains in state of good preservation, now owned by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. Joshua Smoot was a member of the Baptist church and his body lies buried in a cemetery of that denomination at "Scotch Hill" above Newiburg, he having died in 1847. The children of Joshua and Mary (Haines) Smoot were: Samuel, Walker, Henry, William, Minor Barton, Sarah, Eveline, James Reason, (further mention) Julia and Harriet. Smoot III: JAMES REASON SMOOT, son of Joshua and Mary (Haines) Smoot, was born in Hampshire County, 1834. He married (first) March 5, 1854, in Preston County, Susan Howard and their children were: Mary E., married S. C. Hartley. Ethel O., married James N. Berthy, Charles Howard, married Alice L. Paul, and Hattie D., married C. F. Hammond. In 1885 he married (second) Susan Powell, daughter of John M. Powell and Martha (Howard) Powell. To this union the following children were born: J. Ray, married Mollie Fromhart, of Newburg, 1909; Grace, Clara, Calvin, Cora, Earl, Edgar. In a sketch printed in the Wheeling Daily Intelligencer 1889, during the life time of Mr. James R. Smoot, 'twas written that "Perhaps the most extensive lumber manufacturer as well as man of all business in the vicinity of Newburg, Austen and Tunnelton, is Mr. James R. Smoot of Newburg. He commenced the lumber business in 1869 and now owns and operates four mills, three of which are in Preston county and one in Summers county, the capacity of these mills being 45 thousand feet of lumber per day, much of which is exported to Liverpool, England. Mr. Smoot is a fair sample of what may be accomplished by a young man of energy without resources. By the death of his father, Joshua Smoot, he was left an orphan at the age of thirteen with the whole family to support. He applied himself early and late to anything he could get to do. During the building of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad he worked as a laborer on the cut just east of Newburg. He was so industrious and frugal that at the age of 18 he was able to go into business on his own account. He commenced business at Independence remaining there one year then removed to Newburg. His chief occupation has been connected with the lumber business. He also has been a large dealer in real estate and now owns besides his private residence, the extensive business block on Railroad street in which he conducts his mercantile affairs, and about thirty other houses and lots in Newburg. He also owns and operates the Independence Steam-Roller Mills and deals largely in flour and grain. He also deals considerably in cattle. In addition to these possessions he owns several improved farms in Preston County, and extensive timber rights in various parts of the state. He has but recently purchased the Major McGrew farm of 200 acres in the vicinity of Kingwood which is said to be one of the finest pieces of property of its kind in the county. He is also a stockholder in the Tunnelton, Kingwood and Fairchance Railroad, and president of the Kingwood Coke Co." Thus wrote a neighbor of the business ability of a "self-made man," as 'twas said, but Mr. James R. Smoot, aside from inheriting through the Smoots great business qualifications, always gave his mother, Mary Haines Smoot, much credit for his ability to manage and accumulate property, saying she had a rare capacity for good management. She made her home with her son, James, after the death of her husband, Joshua Smoot, except for a short time during the life of her second husband, Zedekiah Waldo, when she resided with him in Harrison county until his death; then she returned to again reside with said son James the remainder of her days, and died at his home and is buried where he lies in the new cemetery at Newburg. The neighbor who wrote while Mr. Smoot lived was thinking financially and did not mention more than industrial facts, but Mr. Smoot was a benefactor to his town. He was sought far and near for advice. People took to him their troubles and business affairs for him to pass judgment upon. He was a peaceful and law-abiding citizen, never entering into law to test its merits. His religious training was in the old school Baptist, but he attended with his family the Methodist Protestant Church in Newburg, which building lot was given to that congregation by Mr. Smoot, while the building of the church was largely assisted by his family. In politics he was a Republican. He belonged to no secret societies. He was always a friend to the aspiring young and assisted many such to a foothold on life's business. He organized the First National Bank of Newburg and from its organization was the president to the close of his life. He was a liberal friend of the schools, and when each of his children had completed the town school term he sent them away to higher educational institutions. James Reason Smoot died in 1905, at his home in Newburg, having lived a life of deeds rather than words and leaving an enviable record of many years of usefulness and honor. Smoot IV: CHARLES HOWARD SMOOT, representing the fourth generation of authentically connected families of this name who have for more than two centuries been identified with progress of Maryland and Virginia, is the son of James Reason (see Smoot III.), and Susan (Howard) Smoot. He was born March 23, 1866, in Newburg, Preston county, West Virginia, being the only surviving son born to this union (one brother, John, having died in infancy). His preparatory education was received in the public schools of his native town, followed by three years in school at Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan. Charles Howard Smoot was a keen student but had time for the social organizations of school, his interest centering in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity as a member. After securing an education he joined his father in the mercantile business, where for nine years he was the junior member of the firm of James R. Smoot & Son, at Newburg. In 1896 he located in Webster county. West Virginia, to engage in the lumber industry owned by his father and himself. Having for this purpose gone to virgin timber lands, Mr. Smoot, our subject, was following in the footsteps of his ancestors as a pioneer; and for the convenience of the colony which he founded a post office was established and named Prestonia, honoring Preston county, from whence employer and employees came — the latter having been likewise engaged by Mr. J. R. Smoot on his mills in Preston county. At this post office Mr. C. H. Smoot was the postmaster. In 1900, the firm, of C. H. Smoot & Company, at Prestonia, having manufactured the timber on more than two thousand acres into lumber, moved their plant to Nicholas county, farther into the interior, and again a colony was founded named Allingdale, a post office established, and the duties of postmaster again thrust upon Mr. Smoot. Mr. Smoot's plan of lumber manufacturing has been along lines of conservation, as he has with few exceptions, and always where practicable, bought the land with his timber property and has cared for the unmarketable small trees; also has developed farming and grazing where the timber has been removed. In the year 1904, Mr. James Reason Smoot, the senior member of C. H. Smoot & Company, withdrew from the firm and Charles Howard Smoot has since been sole owner and manager of the firm C. H. Smoot & Co., at Allingdale, where he has a comfortable home property facing Gauley River at the mouth of historic Stroud's Creek. Mr. Smoot is one of the charter members of the Lanes Bottom Bank, at Lanes Bottom, Webster county, one mile north of Allingdale, being its first vice-president and for several years past and at present, the president of this thriving institution. Politically, Mr. Smoot is a Republican, and was once elected mayor of Newburg but did not qualify, preferring to remain a private citizen — always strongly upholding the government. He is an official member of the Methodist Protestant Church at Newburg, and while living there was twice a delegate to the general conference of that denomination. Mr. Smoot is a Thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is quiet, unassuming and reserved in his manner; relishes society in general, but chooses few close friends. Mr. Smoot married, June 12, 1890, at the home of her parents in Newburg, Alice L. Paul. The children of this union being: Raphael, born March 22, 1891; Charles Howard Paul, born January 17, 1893, died, as did his elder brother, in infancy; Bithiah, born January 7, 1901; Ralph Omar, born February 17, 1907. This daughter and son attend the public schools of Fairmont. In 1907, Mr. Smoot purchased in Fairmont, W. Va., on one of the best residence avenues, a dwelling which is the winter home of himself and family, while the Allingdale property is continued principally as a summer home. Alice L. Paul, wife of Charles Howard Smoot is the eldest child of John Emory and Bithiah (McCool) Paul. Her birthplace, Newbury, Preston county. She completed the course of study in the graded schools of Newburg, also that of the Fairmont State Normal School, graduating from the latter on her seventeenth birthday. For five consecutive years thereafter she taught in the graded schools of her home town, during which time she served one year on the teachers' examining board of Preston county, in association with the late W. B. Squires, then county superintendent of free schools, and Professor Frank B. Trotter, now of the West Virginia University faculty. She refused to be considered a candidate for a second term. This is the only instance of a woman's serving on the teachers' examining board of Preston county. In 1889 she was appointed postmistress at Newburg, then the largest post office in Preston county. Miss Paul's (now Mrs. C. H. Smoot's) campaign for this office created unusual interest. The tact with which she treated political opposition exhibited qualifications generally admired and approved. She has letters of approval and appreciation from many who were in those days leading politicians in both parties throughout the state. June 12, 1890, Alice Paul became the wife of Charles Howard Smoot. (See Smoot IV.) Mrs, Smoot is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, being the Regent of the chapter at Fairmont. She is also a member of the Fairmont Woman's Club, and of the First Presbyterian Church and its Missionary Society. Mrs. Smoot has followed the religious faith of her maternal ancestry, who were for four generations identified with the Scotch Presbyterian Church. She has made extensive research in original sources for data concerning the Smoot and Paul families and has established much information concerning these and allied families, among the latter being the Howard, Haines and Thompson families of the Smoot line, and the Miller, Snider and Hunt families of the Paul line — Preston pioneer families Avhose generations helped lay the foundation of this United States government and have helped preserve it. Howard Line I: John Howard, the great-grandfather of Charles Howard Smoot, was born in Kent county Delaware, December 1, 1780, being a member of a large and influential family of that section. He married May 30, 1802, Martha McCracken, born March 15, 1777, of Scotch parentage. According to the old family Bible records now in possession of Cyrus Howard of Seaman, Ohio, their children were: John, Jr., born May 3, 1803; Cornelius, born November 27, 1805; William McCracken, born December 25, 1807; Thomas D., born November 13, 1809; Nicholas C., born February 12, 1812; Martha C., born February 7, 1814; Charles A., born March 27, 1816; Mary A., born May 20, 1818. These inter- married with the Thompson, Billingslea, Brewer, McGee and Wilkins families and comprised a citizenship profitable and honorable to their locality, that of southwestern Pennsylvania and northwestern Virginia. John Howard and his wife, Martha McCracken, lived in Preston county on their farm near Fellowsville, now owned by heirs of the late Guston Wolf. He and his wife, his son, John, Jr., and his wife, are buried there, near the waters of Yorks Run. Howard II: John Howard, Jr., son of John Howard and Martha (McCracken) Howard, was a man of extensive influence in his community, holding the office of justice of the peace. He served as delegate to the first and second conventions which met at Wheeling to form the new state of West Virginia. It was Mr. Howard who named the town of Independence, in Preston county, where he lived and kept an inn, which fact proclaims his well furnished home, as a Virginia law prohibited the entertainment of travelers unless prepared to furnish each with a feather bed. John Howard, Jr., married December 16, 1824, Elizabeth, born 1803, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Davis) Thompson of Carmichael, Greene county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: Martha, born 1826, married John Powell; William, born February 8, 1828, settled in Webster City, Iowa; Susanna, born February 18, 1830, married James Reason Smoot; John Wesley, born September 29, 1832, married (1) Miss ______ Fortney, (2) Mrs. Lyons, (3) Mrs. Metzler- Howard; Thomas Dow, born December 7, 1834, married (1) Mollie Hoult, (2) Mrs. Metzler (who afterwards became wife of John Wesley Howard upon death of Thomas Dow Howard); Cornelius Springer, born July 19, 1837, married Miss Sarah J. Wolf, both living 1914 on their farm home between Independence and Newburg; Mary E., born March 27, 1840, died 1850; Nicholas Claw son, born November 21, 1841. Several of these sons were in the Union army of the Civil War, making records as good soldiers; afterward steadfast Christian citizens whose children are numerous and widely distributed throughout the United States. --------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Nicholas County, WV #2430 FULL-NAME: Charles H. Smoot BIRTH-DATE: March 23, 1866 BIRTH-PLACE: Newburg, Preston Co., West Va. DEATH-DATE: February 28, 1930 DEATH-PLACE: Allingdale, Beaver District, Nicholas County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Retired Lumberman, Late Farming & Cattle FATHER: James R. Smoot (born in Preston County) MOTHER: Susanna Howard (born in Preston County) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Diabetes Mellitus INFORMANT: Alice Paul Smoot (his wife) BURIAL: Newburg, W.Va. --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------