Furman University - Bonhomie Yearbook (Greenville, SC)

Page 5 text:

Ho.v. Cuas. A. Smitii

Page 4 text:

3Jn rmignitimt uf Ijio srruirrs as yrraihrnt of flip iUnarli of QJrnstrrs of our 3JustUutiou and Htt admiration of ljls louultij an a (fitinni anil (Offirrr of our i tatr, nip drdiratr to Ijmt. (Cliaa. A. this, the twelfth uoluntr of aljr HUnilumtir

Page 6 text:

Charles A. Smith 1IARLKS A. SMITH was born in Hertford County. X. C.. January 22. 1861. 11 is father. Joseph Smith, was a farmer and on account of his largc- mindedness and whole heartedness, was highly respected and honored in the community in which he lived. “Charles A.' spent his early years on the farm and thus acquired robust health and practical knowledge of farm management. I le was sent to Reynoldson Male Institute in Gates County, X. C. Though without the necessary means, he was determined to get an education and liorrowed the money to go to W ake Forest. In 1882 lie took a B.A. at that institution and in the same year accepted the principalship of the Timmonsville (S. C.) 1 ligh School. This position enabled him soon to refund the money borrowed while in College, and left a small surplus which formed the initial investment in what was to become a successful business enterprise. On January 3. 1884. Mr. Smith married Miss Fannie L. Byrd. They have eight living children, the oldest of whom is Mrs. Judge Land, of Xorth Carolina. Resigning the work of teaching. Mr. Smith became active in promoting several important business enterprises, in all of which his success was marked. That his high order of business ability and his faithfulness in the discharge of duty were duly recognized by his fellow citizens is apparent from the list of important and responsible positions he was called upon to occupy. Among them arc: President Citizens Bank, President Timmonsville Oil Mill. President C. A. Smith Co.. President Smith-W'illiams Co. (Lake City, S. C.), and President Bank of Lynchburg (Lynchburg. S. C.). But it is along educational lines and in religious work that Mr. Smith is of the greatest worth to his community and state. In 1903 he was elected President of the South Carolina Baptist Convention and in 1905 was made Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Besides being a trustee of the G. F. C. he has been chairman of Board of Trustees of Furman I’nivcrsity for several years. Two years ago lie entered the State campaign as candidate for Lieutenant Governor, to which office he was elected by a large majority. That political prestige, however, is not his chief ambition, is evidenced by his remark to a friend regarding his election to the Presidency of the State Baptist Convention: I appreciate more highly than any. that honor conferred upon me bv my brethren of the Commonwealth