George Bancroft Smith

As printed in 1909

GEORGE BANCROFT SMITH.

Commercial and industrial activity are the foundation upon which rests the upbuilding and prosperity of every city. Dayton finds in George Bancroft Smith a prominent and well known representative of its business life, for he is the president of The Kinnard Manufacturing Company, his executive ability and keen discrimination proving vital elements in the successful control of this important enterprise. Mr. Smith was born in Pbillipsburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, November 16, 1867, and is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the state. His father, Lewis R. Smith, was born near Canton, Ohio, October 24, 1827, and served for a time with the Eighteenth United States Regulars and also in a regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry. His military service covered four years during the period of the Civil war and he took part in the hotly contested battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Perryville, Chickamauga and others of almost equal prominence..

Reared at the place of his nativity to the age of twelve years, George Bancroft Smith then accompanied his parents on their removal to Brookville, another town of Montgomery county, where he continued until 1888. In the meantime he had acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and was graduated in 1887 from the Miami Commercial College. On attaining his majority he came to Dayton to secure the broader business opportunities afforded in that city and here entered the Tiger Hat Store as salesman and bookkeeper, remaining in that position for eight months. lie next became bookkeeper for The Smith & Vaile Company, continuing with that house for seventeen years through the different changes in partnership, it being now conducted under the name of The Platt Iron Works Company. He gradually rose as his ability was recognized and as his powers in this specific line increased they brought Mr. Smith to the position of assistant secretary and treasurer, but at length he resigned to accept the position of confidential secretary to Eugene J. Barney, in which capacity he still continues. Since that time, however, he has extended his labors into other fields and in April, 1896, was made secretary and treasurer of The Craig-Reynolds Foundry Company in which Mr. Barney is largely interested. In January, 1907, he was elected a director of The Kinnard Manufacturing Company and in January, 1908, was chosen its secretary. On the death of the president, W. M. Kinnard, in February, 1908, Mr. Smith was placed in temporary charge and in May of the same year was chosen president and general manager. He is thus in a position of executive control and his understanding of the business in its various phases well enables him to carefully manage its interests.

Mr. Smith is equally active and influential along lines of moral development and progress, and in these connections occupies various official positions, being at the present time a trustee of the Young Men’s Christian Association; secretary of the Door of Hope Association; secretary of the First Reformed church and superintendent of its Sunday school. He was at one time a member of the board of education and is a member of the executive committee of the Dayton branch of the University Extension. He is the first vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and is an interested cooperant in all of the movements which the organization puts forth for municipal progress. He is a member of the Montgomery County Horticultural Society, belongs to the Sons of Veterans and in all of these different relations labors for advancement where progress is proving a factor in the world’s work. His political allegiance is given to the republican party where state and national questions are involved but at local elections he votes independently.

In 1900 Mr. Smith was married in West Alexandria to Miss Holly Denny and they have one daughter, Martha Catharine Smith. The life history of our subject is another illustration of the fact that ability and worth will come to the front and that intelligently directed effort and fidelity will eventually win its merited reward. He possesses many substantial qualities, is respected wherever known and most honored by his immediate associates who have best opportunity to judge of his worth.

As printed in History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.