Webster S. Smith

WEBSTER S. SMITH, M. D.

With full appreciation of the duties and responsibilities that devolve upon him in his official connection Dr. Webster S. Smith is giving to the public excellent service in his professional capacity and the substantial qualities of his manhood are winning for him the high regard as well of those whom he meets socially. He was born in Dayton, in 1856, a son of Isaac M. and Phoebe (Wellbaum) Smith. His grandfather was Richard Smith and his great-grandfather in the material line was" Charles Wellbaum, who was one of the hired Hessian troops sent to this country to aid the English at the time of the Revolutionary war. His sympathies were aroused on behalf of the colonies, however, and he deserted the English ranks and is supposed to have done all in his power to aid in establishing American independence.

Isaac M. Smith, the father of Dr. Smith, was born in 1830 and came to Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1854. He was a carpenter by trade and was identified with building operations in this locality until after the inauguration of the Civil war when, constrained by a spirit of patriotism, he responded to the country’s call for aid, enlisting as a private in Company G, Sixty-six Illinois SharpShooters, with which he served for three years. In the early part of the war he was taken prisoner by the Confederate troops and was held by them for about two months. He married Phoebe Wellbaum, the wedding being celebrated in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1855. Two children were born unto them, the younger being Harry M. Smith, now of New York city. The father died April 25, 1907.

Dr. Smith was reared in Dayton and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed prior to taking up preparation for a professional career. In 1877 he entered the Ohio Medical College and was graduated in 1880 on the completion of a three years’ course. He then located for practice in Salem, Montgomery county, Ohio, where he remained for two years when he removed to West Milton, Miami county, Ohio, where he continued for thirteen years. During that period his constantly increasing practice was promoting his efficiency as he learned the lessons which one may always gain from experience in any walk in life. In 1895 he sought the broader field of labor offered by (he city and came to Dayton, where he has continued in active practice. His ability is recognized by many patrons and in his daily round of professional duties he has demonstrated his skill in coming with the complex problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to check the ravages of disease and restore health.

Dr. Smith was married in Dayton in 1881 to Miss Margaret E. Shriver, a daughter of the late Dr. John W. Shriver, and they now have two sons, Howard S. and Charles S. Dr. Smith belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Sons of Veterans and in his fraternal relations has gained many warm friends. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is known, moreover, as a valued member of several professional organizations. He is now visiting physician to the Miami Valley Hospital and he belongs to the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Association and the Montgomery County Medical Society, of which he has served as secretary and censor, while at the present time he is filling the position of president. He enjoys the warm regard of his brethren of the medical fraternity by reason of the fact that he holds to a high standard in practice and closely conforms to professional ethics.

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.