Francis Marion Franklin Smith
In remembrance of the accidental death of Francis Marion Franklin Smith one hundred and twenty-three years ago on April 9, 1897, I wanted to tell our readers a brief biography of his amazing life.
But before I do that, I must ask you something. Did you ever wonder why the section of old Rt. 50 from West Union to Smithburg is called Smithton Rd instead of Smithburg Rd.? Likewise, why is the old B & O Depot in Smithburg called Smithton Depot?
Rationality would dictate that Smithburg must have been once called Smithton. It’s true that Smithburg was called Smithton in honor of Capt. Francis Marion Franklin Smith. But, before it was called Smithton or Smithburg, it was called Pritchard’s Mills.
According to his gravestone, Capt. Smith was born in 1822. However, his SAR application give the birthdate as June 4, 1824. He was born in Fauquier County, VA to Walter A and Charlotte Triplett Smith.
According to the Smith Family history prepared by his granddaughter, Eleanor Jones Cook housed in the Doddridge County Historical Society Museum’s genealogy room, in 1847, her grandfather was on his way to the Ohio River through what was then called western Virginia with some traveling companions. He and his companions stopped in West Union to spend the night at a tavern kept by Matthew Neely.
While there, he met Mr. Neely’s beautiful daughter, Julia Ann. Fate was to have its way because Francis Marion Franklin Smith told his traveling companions that he would not be returning to Virginia with them. He chose to stay and married Julia Ann on November 30, 1847. Julia Ann was born on September 16, 1820 in Kingwood, Preston county, VA (now WV).
FMF Smith and his new bride, Julia, began their lives together in West Union. Sometime later, they later bought land about three miles to the east, which had formerly belonged to Julia Ann’s grandfather, Elijah Newlon. You guessed it. It was to become known as the community of Smithton (Smithburg).
In 1869, Julia’s sister, Margaret Neely McKinley, died leaving a child in need of a mother. The child’s name was Lucy McKinley. Julia took the child to raise. In 1880, Lucy was still living with them at the age of 13.
F.M.F. and his wife, Julia spent the remainder of their lives in Smithton/Smithburg and raised several children, including Charlotte, Julia, Franklin H, and Georgia.
According to the 1850 Census for Doddridge Co, Virginia (now West Virginia), which was enumerated on Jul 16, 1850 in the Town of West Union, Francis Marion Franklin Smith was 27 years old. He was a hotel keeper and the value of real estate was $3,000.
His wife, Julia A. Smith was 26 years old and they listed their children as: Charlotte I. Smith, 7 months; Charlotte Smith, 62 (presumably Francis Smith’s mother). The following enumerated persons were possible tenants of Francis Smith’s hotel: Floyd Neely, 27, miller, value of real estate $1,000 (brother of Julia Neely Smith); E. L. Hewett, 25 (Edwin Littleton Smith, a prominent attorney from Richmond, Virginia), Benjamin W. Jackson, 24, lawyer, value of real estate $900; John McCann, 22, stage driver; Evan Gatrell, 21, stage driver; Milly Cain, 26 (Amelia Cain, who later married the renowned Joseph H. Diss Debar); Emily Neely, 11 (sister of Julia Neely Smith). Everyone listed was said to have been born in Virginia. (possibly old VA, or now WV).
Francis Marion Franklin Smith became the first Postmaster of the U.S. Post Office there. And, he was also appointed as the stationmaster of the community.
His wife, Julia A. Smith was 26 years old and they listed their children as: Charlotte I. Smith, 7 months; Charlotte Smith, 62 (presumably Francis Smith’s mother). The following enumerated persons were possible tenants of Francis Smith’s hotel: Floyd Neely, 27, miller, value of real estate $1,000 (brother of Julia Neely Smith); E. L. Hewett, 25 (Edwin Littleton Smith, a prominent attorney from Richmond, Virginia), Benjamin W. Jackson, 24, lawyer, value of real estate $900; John McCann, 22, stage driver; Evan Gatrell, 21, stage driver; Milly Cain, 26 (Amelia Cain, who later married the renowned Joseph H. Diss Debar); Emily Neely, 11 (sister of Julia Neely Smith). Everyone listed was said to have been born in Virginia. (possibly old VA, or now WV).
Francis Marion Franklin Smith became the first Postmaster of the U.S. Post Office there. And, he was also appointed as the stationmaster of the community.
His wife, Julia Ann Neely Smith died on February 25, 1893. At the time of his death on April 1, 1897, he owned a great deal of the property that makes up the community of Smithburg, WV. Many of Smithburg’s citizens and beyond can trace their lineage to this proud American. Perhaps, you are one of them.
Francis Marion Franklin Smith died at the age of 75 when he was struck by a west bound B & O train. It was said that he had lost nearly all of his hearing and it’s believed that he could not hear the train as it barreled down on him. The entire community must have mourned this well-loved and respected man
Gov. William E. Glasscock
Next, it is important for us to remember that this Sunday, April 12, 1925, marks the 98th year since William E. Glasscock died.
West Virginia’s 13th governor, William Ellsworth Glasscock was born on December 13, 1862. He is most remembered for his role in the Mine Wars.
Glasscock was born in Monongalia County and attended West Virginia University. He became a teacher and later a lawyer. In 1903, he was admitted to the bar.
During Glasscock’s administration, the legislature established an agency for road construction, a nonpartisan board to control public institutions, a Public Service Commission, a tuberculosis sanitarium, and the office of commissioner of agriculture. It enacted a workmen’s compensation law and empowered the federal government to acquire state land for forest reserves. Medical examinations were required for pupils in public schools.
The Mine Wars took hold in April 1912, when miners decided to strike over several key issues. Those listed included abolition of the mine guard system, the right to a checkweighman, and recognition of the union. Area coal companies refused to bargain and decided to arm their mine guards, many of which were from Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency in Bluefield, with shotguns, rifles, and machine guns. The miners were scarcely less well-armed, and a bloody shooting war ensued.
Glasscock’s response was denounced on constitutional grounds, but the West Virginia Supreme Court upheld his actions. When armed miners clashed with the companies’ guards, he sent militia troops to preserve order. At one time the entire state force was on Paint Creek in the area of the Fayette-Kanawha border. In September, Glasscock declared the strike district under martial law; 1,200 state militia were rushed to the territory. Operators and strikers were ordered to surrender arms and ammunition. Congregating of miners was prohibited. A measure of peace was restored, but the conflict continued beyond Glasscock’s term.
In August 1912, labor organizer Mary Harris ‘‘Mother’’ Jones denounced Governor Glasscock for the continued presence of armed mine guards.
In her speech she said, ‘‘I say that if the governor won’t make them go then we will make them go. We have come to the chief executive, we have asked him, and he couldn’t do anything.’’ Glasscock had left Charleston the day before the rally.
By October, Gov. Glasscock lifted martial law. The militia withdrew. A month later things started up again and Glasscock issued a second martial law proclamation. The militia withdrew again in January. Glasscock issued a third proclamation in February, near the end of his term, and troops were again rushed to the strike area.
It was his successor, Governor Henry Hatfield, who dictated terms of peace and forced both sides to accept them. The strike was ended in 1913.
The jailing of civilians including Mother Jones by military courts under the martial law proclamation was the most controversial act of Glasscock’s administration. Gov. Glasscock’s actions were upheld by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in the case Mays and Nance v. Brown.
Glasscock returned to law practice in Morgantown. He never returned to politics throughout the remainder of his life. Most who knew him believed that he never truly got over the overwhelming personal damage of those times. He died at his home on April 12, 1925 and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Morgantown.
God Bless and Stay Well
Patricia Richards Harris
