Lewis County, West Virginia Biography of ROSCOE C. SMITH This biography was submitted by Valerie Crook, E-mail address: The submitter does not have a connection to the subject of this sketch. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 462-463 Lewis ROSCOE C. SMITH, former superintendent of the Lewis County Infirmary, had a thoroughly successful record as a practical farmer as a chief qualification for that post. He is a good business man, capable in handling affairs of public trust, and was a decided success in his responsi- bility. Mr. Smith was born near Homer in Lewis County, June 14, 1872, son of Ellis L. and Matilda F. (Hudson) Smith. His father was born near Horner, September 25, 1843, and his mother was born on Shin Creek, near Georgetown, August 6, 1843, and died in 1910. Ellis Smith was a son of Martin J. and Margaret (Talbert) Smith, the former a native of Lewis County, who died when past seventy- eight years of age, and the latter a native of Upshur Coun- ty. Matilda F. Hudson was a daughter of Jacob W. Hud- son, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-one. Ellis L. Smith, after his marriage, settled on a farm near Hor- ner and devoted his years to farming, except for the four years he was a soldier ,in the Union Army. He was wounded July 4, 1862, but after recuperating joined his command and served until the close of the war. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Horner. His eleven children were named Clarence L., Flavilla F., Maggie, Jacob M., R. C., Washington H., Ellis L., Myrtle, Grace, Hugh and Esta. Roscoe C. Smith grew up on the home farm and had a public school education. After he was twenty-one he continued working on the farm and later he and his brother Jacob M. bought 107 acres, which they farmed in partner- ship. When he sold his interest in that he bought land in Upshur County, at the headwaters of Stone Coal Creek. This property he sold in 1903, and then bought a farm in his native community, near Horner. Mr. Smith owns 100 acres in his own name, while Mrs. Smith has thirty- six acres. While still continuing the ownership of the farm Mr. Smith accepted appointment as superintendent of the Lewis County Infirmary, in March, 1917, and devoted five years to the official administration of that important county institution. In 1896 he married Mary E. Clark, who was born in Lewis County, May 1, 1878, and was educated in the com- mon schools. Eleven children were born to their marriage, and the ten now living are Virgil N., who was with the colors at a training camp during the World war; Lura M.; Leia; Commodore R.; Ercell; Madge; Milo M.; Gladys; Lutie; and John R. The family are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Horner. Mr. Smith is a past noble grand of Golden Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of the Encampment, the Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is a re- publican.