From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902.

Typed by Carol Taylor Lanza.

Page 737

LESTER SMITH, who is county assessor for the country district, with a 
territory embracing Ritchie, Triadelphia, Richland and Liberty 
districts, was elected to this position in November, 1900, to succeed 
Robert Anderson.  He was born at Elm Grove, Ohio County, West Virginia, 
in 1860, and is a son of William C. And Anna (Keller) Smith.

William C. Smith was born in 1833, in a log house near Lester Smith's 
present home, in what is known as Smith's Lane.  He died in November, 
1897, after having taught school for forty years, in the Triadelphia 
district.  He was postmaster of Elm Grove at the time of his death.  He 
married Anna Keller, who was born two miles from Elm Grove on what is 
now known as the Klages place. They reared three sons, all of whom are 
living, namely: G. W., who was recently appointed postmaster at Elm 
Grove; O. M.  Who is a conductor on the motor line; and Lester.

Lester Smith received a good common school education, and in his youth 
worked for various farmers; he was engaged for three years at Wheeling 
Park, in the employ of Thomas Hornbrook.  From November, 1878, until 
October, 1899, he was employed as conductor on the Wheeling & Elm Grove 
Railroad.  In November, 1900, Mr. Smith was elected county assessor, 
and this position he has continued to fill in a most able and 
creditable manner ever since.  He keeps account of improvements made on 
real estate, of the land that is sold, and also an account of coal 
properties.  

Mr. Smith married Jennie C. Wharton, who was reared at Greggs, near 
Wood's Run.  She is a daughter of John Wharton, who came from Virginia 
in 1840, with several of his brothers.  At one time there were many 
members of the Wharton family, and several of these settled in 
Missouri.  To Mr. And Mrs. Smith have been born the following children:  
Harry, who died when young; Clara, who is the wife of H. E. Shearing, a 
clerk in Wheeling, and has one child, Virginia Elizabeth; Frank; 
Jessie; Harrold; and Gertrude.  Mr. Smith erected a comfortable home on 
his land of one and a half acres, which is conveniently near the 
Wheeling & Elm Grove Railroad. 

Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has been a member of the 
county committee from his district for the past twelve years.  
Fraternally, he is a member of the A. O. U. W.; K. Of  P.; and 
I. O. O. F.  He also belongs to the Jr. O. U. A. M.  He has held 
offices in the K. Of  P. And in the Jr. O. U. A. M.  He is a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church.