BIO:  S. Morgan SMITH, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, York Borough, Pg 46

S. MORGAN SMITH, inventor of Smith’s Success Turbine Water-wheel and 
manufacturer of mill machinery, was born February 1, 1830, in Davie County, N. 
C., second son of John W. and Sarah Purden (Beauchamp) Smith.  He is of English-
French descent.  His parents were born in Davie County, N. C., his father in 
1811 and mother in 1816.  By occupation his father was a farmer and yet resides 
in his native county.  His mother died in 1866.  The paternal grandfather of Mr. 
Smith was also born in Davie County, N. C., and his great-grandfather in 
Frederick, Md., and his great-great-grandfather was a native of France, who 
emigrated from England to America and settled in Frederick City, Md.  The 
subject of this sketch was educated at the public schools of Davie County, N. 
C., and the Moravian College at Bethlehem, Penn., from which he graduated in 
1861.  During his collegiate course he prepared himself for the ministry, and 
from 1861 to 1866 was pastor of a Moravian Church.  In 1866 he went to Canal 
Dover, Ohio, and had charge of a congregation at that place for five years.  In 
1871 he quit the ministerial work, on account of a serious throat trouble, and 
returned to York.  About 1871 Mr. Smith began giving his attention to the 
invention of water-wheels and the manufacture of mill machinery.  He was united 
in marriage, in 1862, to Miss Emma R. Fahs, a native of York County.  Children 
have been born to this marriage as follows:  Charles E., Stephen F., Beauchamp 
H., Sarah P., Susan E. and Mary D.  In 1864 Mr. Smith was elected chaplain of 
the Two Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served until the close of the 
war.  He is a Republican, and a member of the G. A. R.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith are 
members of the Moravian Church.