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Page 13 text:
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r iauttfirolai jMuarit (6ranbisnu Suutl] DWARD GRANDISON SMITH was born near the present village of West Milford, Harrison County, West Virginia, April 8, 186S. His paternal ancestry is English, French and Scotch; his maternal, Ger- man and Scotch. He came of Revolutionary stock on both sides and ux, I his parents and grandparents have taken a prominent part in the 0| development of our country, at all times exhibiting those character- istics of fairness, courage and strong convictions for what is right, so common to many of the noted men who participated in the struggle for inde- pendence and in the building of a great nation. Mr. Smith attended the common schools of his native county. Early in his teens, he successfully passed an examination for a No. 1 teacher ' s certificate and taught school. Later, he entered the West Virginia University Preparatory School at Morgantown where he early distinguished himself as an orator and parliamentarian and was, over a distinguished and worthy senior, now of inter- national fame, elected president of the leading literary society while yet a Prep. He was a member of the joint committee of the literary societies which composed the University ' s first college yell, Rah, Rah, Rhu, W. V, U, Sis, Boom, Bah, Tiger, and selected for her colors old gold and blue. He remained at the University tour years and graduated with the class of 1889.- He then entered the Washington and Lee University Law School at Lexington, Virginia, where he be- came president of the Washington Literary Society and in 1892, he received the degree of LL.B. and was class orator. His college career was mainly marked by indefatigable industry and high scholarship. While at the University of West Vir- ginia, he was called upon many times to uphold the colors of the University in oratorical contests in which he was generally victorious. For Washington and Lee University, as its representative, in 1892, in the Southern Inter-collegiate Oratorical Association contest, at Vanderailt University, Nashville, Tennessee, he won first place for his school and was awarded the Association ' s gold medal. He frequently quotes his favorite professor, that remarkable instructor, teacher, statesman, lawyer, John Randolph (Old Ran) Tucker. For the encouragement of students of inadequate means, it should be stated that Mr. Smith, at the beginning of any school year at the University, never had in sight more than sufficient means to complete that year ' s work and he made his last year at the West Virginia University on one hundred dollars, the proceeds of a horse, the last property left to his parents by the flood of ' 88. To Washing- ton and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia, he traveled as far as Harper ' s Ferry on a cattle train to save expenses and returning from Vanderbilt Uni- versity with the Southern medal of gold set with diamonds and rubies, he was stranded at Staunton without sufficient means to get back to Lexington where the student body and faculty of Washington and Lee, the brass band of V. M. I. and nearly the whole town awaited at the station the arrival of his train to re- ceive their victorious representative. Happily at Staunton, without missing his train, Mr. Smith was loaned transportation by Judge McLaughlin, President of the Board of Visitors of Washington and Lee, who happened to be holding court in Staunton at the time, although he had never seen Mr. Smith before and knew nothing of the reception awaiting him. Isr9i6«
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Page 14 text:
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Msmiitnlii i In 1892, he was admitted to practice law at Clarksburg, West Virginia, where he has ever since resided. His devotion to the law, singly and unremittingly, not permitting anything to break oft or interfere with the engagement of his life, and his success in equity cases and his efficient management of important jury trials soon made him one of the recognized leaders of the state bar. Intel- lectually, he is of great accuracy and quickness in his mental movements; a most acute reasoner and a master of an exact and perspicuous and oft-times glowing style. He is considered by his associates the most eloquent speaker in the Province. His practice includes nearly every variety of litigation that arises in the state and federal courts. He is known as the people ' s lawyer. From time to time, he has been called upon to act as special judge in the counties of Monongalia, Marion and Harrison, sometimes to ho ' d a special term and sometimes to hold a regular term, in the absence of the regular judge, but has always declined to be a candidate for public office with a single exception and that in the line of his profession. In 1912, .he was nominated for Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia by the Democratic party, after having been unanimously indorsed by the members of a number of the county bars without regard to politics. In recognition of his scholarship, learning and ability, Salem College, in 1912, conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. In 1913, Mr. Smith was elected president of the West Virginia University Alumni Association and in 1914, contrary to his wishes and over his objections, he was re-elected. As president of the Association, he has been actively and untiringly engaged in the organization of University Clubs, until now there is a University Club in nearly every large center of population in the state. He has done more to organize the Alumni and create real University interest, during his term of office, than was done by all of his predecessors. In the interest of the University, he recently appeared before the State Board of Trade and de- livered an address on the Needs of the University which met with state-wide approval. This address was recognized as a masterpiece, not only within the state but beyond its borders, prominent educators from other states having re- quested copies of this address and having commented favorably upon it. He has, at all times, favored a permanent foundation such as a mill tax for the University and, as a result of his efforts, no doubt it will be only a matter of time until the University will be permanently financed by some such means as a separate, con- tinuing mill tax. He has given liberally of his means and time to the support of the University and its interests. He has been untiring in his efforts to secure a greater University, as he says, not the largest, but in all its appointments, the most perfect attainable. He has done more for his alma mater than any other man not officially connected with it and he well deserves the recognition which has come to him.
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