BIOGRAPHY: Thomas Smith; Newburgh, Orange co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895


THOMAS SMITH. In this gentleman, Ferry & Napier, the well known fur hat
manufacturers of Newburgh, have a very efficient superintendent, one who is
versed in all departments of the business, and is therefore well qualified for
the important position he holds.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, James Smith, was a hatter in Gorton,
England, where his son, the father of Thomas, was also engaged in the same
business. In 1869, however, the latter emigrated to America, settling in
Bloomfield, N. J., where he continued at his trade until his death, which
occurred in August, 1870. Gorton, England, was the birthplace of the mother,
who before her marriage was known as Ann Bowker. Her father, Joseph Bowker,
was also a hatter by trade, as were many of his family before him. The mother
died in New Jersey, in 1887, when sixty-three years of age.

In the parental family there were five children, only one of whom, Thomas, was
spared to reach maturity. He was born March 15, 1854, in the sane place as.
was his father, Gorton, England, where he lived until he had reached his
sixteenth year, when he emigrated with his father to America. Prior to this,
however, when twelve years old, he had begun to serve an apprenticeship to the
hatter's trade under his father, continuing in his employ until coming to
America. After settling in Bloomfield he finished his apprenticeship with
Hampson & Ellor, hat manufacturers of that place. He diligently applied
himself until twenty-one years of age, when he traveled as a journeyman
through Connecticut, and New-ark and Orange, N. J. Later, in 1880, he became
foreman of their factory, holding that position for two years. He then became
one of the partners of Ellor, Law & Co., and until 1891 the firm carried on a
lucrative business in the manufacture of hats in Bloomfield. It was at this
juncture that Mr. Smith became identified with Ferry & Napier, who have been
fortunate in retaining his services up to the present time.

The factory is located on Washington Street, and has a capacity for turning
out three hundred dozen hats per day. Two seventy-five-horsepower engines and
two eighty and three ninety horse-power boilers are required to carry on the
works, which are heated by steam. Employment is given to four hundred
employes, who are distributed in the following rooms: forming, sizing,
stiffening, dyeing, blocking, pouncing, finishing, trimming and flanging
rooms. The fur used is shipped from the wholesale rooms, Nos. 21 and 23 West
Fourth Street, New York City. In connection with the factory there is also a
box manufacturing department.

In Bloomfield, N. J., in 1875, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss
Katie Coons, who was born in Schoharie, N. Y., and who is a daughter of Peter
Coons. Four interesting children have blessed this marriage: Bertha, Clara L.,
Annie M. and Etta. The home is pleasantly located at No. 38 Liberty Street,
Washington Heights, and there they entertain their many friends.

Mr. Smith is greatly interested in educational matters, and while residing in
Bloomfield was a member of the Board of Education. Formerly he was connected
with Lodge No. 40, F. & A. M., of Bloomfield, but now holds membership with
Hudson River Lodge of Newburgh. Since 1873 he has been a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and is now serving as Class-leader in Trinity
Methodist Episcopal Church of New-burgh. While in Bloomfield he served as
Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, on the Board of Stewards and as
Class-leader. Politically he is a Prohibitionist, with Republican tendencies.