Bedford County PA Archives Biographies.....Smith, David R.
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Judy Banja jbanja@msn.com May 2003


DAVID R. SMITH, the Postmaster at Wolfsburg, Bedford County, 
Pa., is a well- known citizen of this borough, and as the 
head of the enterprising firm of D. R. Smith & Son is 
actively identified with its mercantile and manufacturing 
interests.  He was born April 3, 1840, in Ross County, Ohio, 
a son of Robert A. Smith, the descendant of an old and much 
respected family of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
  Robert A. Smith was born and reared in St. Clair township, 
Pa., whence he removed when a young man to Ross County, 
Ohio, where he made his home until 1847.  Returning then to 
Bedford County, Pennsylvania, he resided in Schellsburg 
until his decease, September 3, 1859.  He married Mary A. 
McClandish, who was born in Scotland.  Of their children, 
three are living, namely: David R., the special subject of 
this biography; Miles N., of Johnstown, Pa.; and Mary A., 
wife of Theodore Lehman, of Bedford township.
  David R. Smith was a lad of seven years when his parents 
removed to Schellsburg.  When about eight years old he went 
to East St. Clair township, where he resided with an uncle, 
Thomas Blackburn, for seven years.  He subsequently served 
an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade.  In 1859 he 
settled in Wolfsburg, where, purchasing land, he turned his 
attention to agricultural pursuits.  While still interested 
to some extent in general farming, in 1881 he began his 
career as a merchant, and four years ago, in partnership 
with his son, established his present cigar factory, in the 
management of which the firm has met with good success.
  On October 1, 1864, Mr. Smith enlisted as a private in the 
Fifty-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as a member of 
Company B, in which he was promoted to the rank of Corporal 
and served until the close of the war.  His regiment was 
assigned to the army of the Potomac, and took an active part 
in the engagements at Hatcher's Run, Five Forks, and other 
battles and skirmishes, and was at Appomattox when Lee 
surrendered.  In all the exciting and perilous scenes though 
which he passed as a citizen-soldier, Mr. Smith bore himself 
valiantly.  He was mustered out with his regiment on May 30, 
1865, at Washington, D.C., and at once returned to 
Wolfsburg, where he resumed his agricultural work.
  Mr. Smith is a strong advocate of all movements calculated 
to promote the general welfare of the community in which he 
lives; and, though not an aspirant for official honors, has 
served most acceptably as a Jury Commissioner of Bedford 
County, and as School Director of Bedford township.  He is a 
stanch adherent of the Republican party, and is a member of 
various fraternal organizations, including the Masonic 
order, the Odd Fellows, the Brush Run Grange, and Watson 
Past, G.A.R., of Bedford.  Many years ago he united with the 
Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee, as he 
is also of the parsonage property.
  On September 29, 1859, Mr. Smith married Barbara A., 
daughter of William Smith, late of Bedford, Pa.  She died 
January 18, 1888, having been the mother of five children, 
four of whom are living, as follows: Mary E., wife of Max 
Beckhofer, of Everett, Pa.; William H., of Wolfsburg; David 
F., of Wolfsburg; and Flora V., wife of Vinton Gwinn, of 
Wood County, Ohio.  Mr. Smith married for his second wife 
Miss Ruie Snively, of Bedford County, Pennsylvania.  Of this 
union are two children; namely, Anna L., and Donald R.


Source: Bedford Biographical Review, 1899, Bedford Co., Pa