"Joel Allen Smith, banker and financier, son of William Joel Smith and lone Allen Smith, was born at Abbeville, South Carolina, March 4, 1856. His father was a planter before and a merchant after the war. He was a colonel on the staff of General A. M. Smith, of the State militia, before the war and served faithfully throughout the War between the States. He never sought but persistently declined all other public offices. He was characterized by firmness, concentration of purpose and a marked ability to give close attention to detail.
The great-grandfather of J. Allen Smith, William Smith, was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, November 5, 1762, and married Lucy Wright, of the same state. He was a planter and slave owner. He settled in South Carolina, in 1794, at Stony Point, Abbeville county, now Greenwood county. Joel Smith, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the most successful men of his day. He was a prime mover in inaugurating and carrying to a successful issue the building of the Greenville and Columbia railroad, one of the first built in the United States. He was a director of the same, and was also a leading spirit in building the Graniteville Cotton mills, near Augusta, Georgia. He was for years a member of the legislature from Abbeville county, was an elder in the Presbyterian church and esteemed for his high integrity and uprightness of character.
Young Allen Smith was a robust, healthy and active boy, fond of outdoor exercises and athletics. His early life was passed in the village, with vacations spent in the country, at the old homestead at Stony Point. His parents, having ample means, required no manual labor of their son. The influence of his mother was especially strong on the ethical side of his nature. He was rather fonder of reading than of hard study, and read much of history, general literature, and biography, especially delighting in the latter. The influence of home, of school and early companions tended largely to form his disposition and to develop the amiable and softer side of his nature, thus serving as a check against too great sordidness. From private study he obtained his ideals, these rather tending to hero worship and the romantic. The character of Julius Csesar was his youthful beau-ideal, the genius, daring and personal magnetism of the Roman hero taking strong hold of the boy's youthful heart and imagination; and many a youthful escapade received its inspiration from this source. The expression "Always I am Csesar," borrowed, perhaps, from Shakespeare, and the motto, "Every day begin again," have exerted no small influence throughout his whole life, but it was from contact with men in active life that the sterner and no less necessarv traits of character were developed, which have entered very largely into the degree of success he has attained. He feels that he has had little to do with results, these having come to him unknowingly while his attention has been confined to matters in hand.
Educational advantages came to Allen Smith with no material difficulty. He attended the celebrated school of Mr. Edward R. Miles and King's Mountain Military school. Afterward he attended Washington and Lee university at Lexington, Virginia, and studied law privately. Though never admitted to practice, he found the knowledge and training thus gained of great assistance in the work of life.
In choosing a pursuit, Mr. Smith's preference was for the law; circumstances, however, led him into banking. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits and banking at Abbeville, South Carolina, from 1876 to 1906; was president and treasurer of the Abbeville Oil and Fertilizer company, president and treasurer of the Enterprise Ginnery company, president of the Upper Long Cane society, president and treasurer of the Athens Oil and Manufacturing company, of Athens, Georgia, and president of the National Bank of Abbeville from 1889 to the present time (1907). He has always manifested much interest in education and was a member of the county board of education, and was a trustee of Abbeville graded school and of the Presbyterian college of South Carolina. He was first a deacon in the Abbeville Presbyterian church, and afterwards an elder in the same. In addition, he has joined the following associations: The Sons of Confederate veterans, and chosen commander of the local camp; also the society of the Sons of the Revolution. In college he was a member of the Delta Psi fraternity, in which he was gradually advanced to the highest positions. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and, though esteeming the game of politics the most engaging, scientific and intricate of all games, Mr. Smith has never sought or held a political office; though in each generation some member of his family has represented the state in the general assembly. His relaxation is found in reading, traveling, and association with kindred spirits; he has also constantly, throughout life, indulged much in outdoor exercises and in the use of the free arm movements, finding them of great benefit.
To the young he commends "faith in a Supreme Being the only living and true, Triune, God; great reverence for and unremitting study of the Bible (with a good commentary), which aside from its immeasurable religious benefit, is the most interesting of all books; as much and as accurate an acquaintance with history and general literature as is possible; lofty and true ideals, eliminating, as much as possible, the selfish, and encouraging patriotism, especially love of one's own state." He advises, also, "the cultivation of the ability to write essays, and to speak one's thoughts forcibly while standing before an audience. As for the rest, I should say it is all contained in the words: concentrate, concentrate, work, work."
Mr. Smith has been twice married: First, in early life, to Rebecca, daughter of the late Judge James S. Cothran, of Abbeville, South Carolina, of which marriage were born three children, all of whom were living in 1907; second, to Mary Baker, daughter of the late Judge Edward J. Harden, of Savannah, Georgia; five children were born of this union, all of whom are living in 1907.
His address is Abbeville, South Carolina." - "Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state"
The great-grandfather of J. Allen Smith, William Smith, was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, November 5, 1762, and married Lucy Wright, of the same state. He was a planter and slave owner. He settled in South Carolina, in 1794, at Stony Point, Abbeville county, now Greenwood county. Joel Smith, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the most successful men of his day. He was a prime mover in inaugurating and carrying to a successful issue the building of the Greenville and Columbia railroad, one of the first built in the United States. He was a director of the same, and was also a leading spirit in building the Graniteville Cotton mills, near Augusta, Georgia. He was for years a member of the legislature from Abbeville county, was an elder in the Presbyterian church and esteemed for his high integrity and uprightness of character.
Young Allen Smith was a robust, healthy and active boy, fond of outdoor exercises and athletics. His early life was passed in the village, with vacations spent in the country, at the old homestead at Stony Point. His parents, having ample means, required no manual labor of their son. The influence of his mother was especially strong on the ethical side of his nature. He was rather fonder of reading than of hard study, and read much of history, general literature, and biography, especially delighting in the latter. The influence of home, of school and early companions tended largely to form his disposition and to develop the amiable and softer side of his nature, thus serving as a check against too great sordidness. From private study he obtained his ideals, these rather tending to hero worship and the romantic. The character of Julius Csesar was his youthful beau-ideal, the genius, daring and personal magnetism of the Roman hero taking strong hold of the boy's youthful heart and imagination; and many a youthful escapade received its inspiration from this source. The expression "Always I am Csesar," borrowed, perhaps, from Shakespeare, and the motto, "Every day begin again," have exerted no small influence throughout his whole life, but it was from contact with men in active life that the sterner and no less necessarv traits of character were developed, which have entered very largely into the degree of success he has attained. He feels that he has had little to do with results, these having come to him unknowingly while his attention has been confined to matters in hand.
Educational advantages came to Allen Smith with no material difficulty. He attended the celebrated school of Mr. Edward R. Miles and King's Mountain Military school. Afterward he attended Washington and Lee university at Lexington, Virginia, and studied law privately. Though never admitted to practice, he found the knowledge and training thus gained of great assistance in the work of life.
In choosing a pursuit, Mr. Smith's preference was for the law; circumstances, however, led him into banking. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits and banking at Abbeville, South Carolina, from 1876 to 1906; was president and treasurer of the Abbeville Oil and Fertilizer company, president and treasurer of the Enterprise Ginnery company, president of the Upper Long Cane society, president and treasurer of the Athens Oil and Manufacturing company, of Athens, Georgia, and president of the National Bank of Abbeville from 1889 to the present time (1907). He has always manifested much interest in education and was a member of the county board of education, and was a trustee of Abbeville graded school and of the Presbyterian college of South Carolina. He was first a deacon in the Abbeville Presbyterian church, and afterwards an elder in the same. In addition, he has joined the following associations: The Sons of Confederate veterans, and chosen commander of the local camp; also the society of the Sons of the Revolution. In college he was a member of the Delta Psi fraternity, in which he was gradually advanced to the highest positions. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and, though esteeming the game of politics the most engaging, scientific and intricate of all games, Mr. Smith has never sought or held a political office; though in each generation some member of his family has represented the state in the general assembly. His relaxation is found in reading, traveling, and association with kindred spirits; he has also constantly, throughout life, indulged much in outdoor exercises and in the use of the free arm movements, finding them of great benefit.
To the young he commends "faith in a Supreme Being the only living and true, Triune, God; great reverence for and unremitting study of the Bible (with a good commentary), which aside from its immeasurable religious benefit, is the most interesting of all books; as much and as accurate an acquaintance with history and general literature as is possible; lofty and true ideals, eliminating, as much as possible, the selfish, and encouraging patriotism, especially love of one's own state." He advises, also, "the cultivation of the ability to write essays, and to speak one's thoughts forcibly while standing before an audience. As for the rest, I should say it is all contained in the words: concentrate, concentrate, work, work."
Mr. Smith has been twice married: First, in early life, to Rebecca, daughter of the late Judge James S. Cothran, of Abbeville, South Carolina, of which marriage were born three children, all of whom were living in 1907; second, to Mary Baker, daughter of the late Judge Edward J. Harden, of Savannah, Georgia; five children were born of this union, all of whom are living in 1907.
His address is Abbeville, South Carolina." - "Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state"
"Joel Allen Smith, banker and financier, son of William Joel Smith and lone Allen Smith, was born at Abbeville, South Carolina, March 4, 1856. His father was a planter before and a merchant after the war. He was a colonel on the staff of General A. M. Smith, of the State militia, before the war and served faithfully throughout the War between the States. He never sought but persistently declined all other public offices. He was characterized by firmness, concentration of purpose and a marked ability to give close attention to detail.
The great-grandfather of J. Allen Smith, William Smith, was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, November 5, 1762, and married Lucy Wright, of the same state. He was a planter and slave owner. He settled in South Carolina, in 1794, at Stony Point, Abbeville county, now Greenwood county. Joel Smith, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the most successful men of his day. He was a prime mover in inaugurating and carrying to a successful issue the building of the Greenville and Columbia railroad, one of the first built in the United States. He was a director of the same, and was also a leading spirit in building the Graniteville Cotton mills, near Augusta, Georgia. He was for years a member of the legislature from Abbeville county, was an elder in the Presbyterian church and esteemed for his high integrity and uprightness of character.
Young Allen Smith was a robust, healthy and active boy, fond of outdoor exercises and athletics. His early life was passed in the village, with vacations spent in the country, at the old homestead at Stony Point. His parents, having ample means, required no manual labor of their son. The influence of his mother was especially strong on the ethical side of his nature. He was rather fonder of reading than of hard study, and read much of history, general literature, and biography, especially delighting in the latter. The influence of home, of school and early companions tended largely to form his disposition and to develop the amiable and softer side of his nature, thus serving as a check against too great sordidness. From private study he obtained his ideals, these rather tending to hero worship and the romantic. The character of Julius Csesar was his youthful beau-ideal, the genius, daring and personal magnetism of the Roman hero taking strong hold of the boy's youthful heart and imagination; and many a youthful escapade received its inspiration from this source. The expression "Always I am Csesar," borrowed, perhaps, from Shakespeare, and the motto, "Every day begin again," have exerted no small influence throughout his whole life, but it was from contact with men in active life that the sterner and no less necessarv traits of character were developed, which have entered very largely into the degree of success he has attained. He feels that he has had little to do with results, these having come to him unknowingly while his attention has been confined to matters in hand.
Educational advantages came to Allen Smith with no material difficulty. He attended the celebrated school of Mr. Edward R. Miles and King's Mountain Military school. Afterward he attended Washington and Lee university at Lexington, Virginia, and studied law privately. Though never admitted to practice, he found the knowledge and training thus gained of great assistance in the work of life.
In choosing a pursuit, Mr. Smith's preference was for the law; circumstances, however, led him into banking. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits and banking at Abbeville, South Carolina, from 1876 to 1906; was president and treasurer of the Abbeville Oil and Fertilizer company, president and treasurer of the Enterprise Ginnery company, president of the Upper Long Cane society, president and treasurer of the Athens Oil and Manufacturing company, of Athens, Georgia, and president of the National Bank of Abbeville from 1889 to the present time (1907). He has always manifested much interest in education and was a member of the county board of education, and was a trustee of Abbeville graded school and of the Presbyterian college of South Carolina. He was first a deacon in the Abbeville Presbyterian church, and afterwards an elder in the same. In addition, he has joined the following associations: The Sons of Confederate veterans, and chosen commander of the local camp; also the society of the Sons of the Revolution. In college he was a member of the Delta Psi fraternity, in which he was gradually advanced to the highest positions. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and, though esteeming the game of politics the most engaging, scientific and intricate of all games, Mr. Smith has never sought or held a political office; though in each generation some member of his family has represented the state in the general assembly. His relaxation is found in reading, traveling, and association with kindred spirits; he has also constantly, throughout life, indulged much in outdoor exercises and in the use of the free arm movements, finding them of great benefit.
To the young he commends "faith in a Supreme Being the only living and true, Triune, God; great reverence for and unremitting study of the Bible (with a good commentary), which aside from its immeasurable religious benefit, is the most interesting of all books; as much and as accurate an acquaintance with history and general literature as is possible; lofty and true ideals, eliminating, as much as possible, the selfish, and encouraging patriotism, especially love of one's own state." He advises, also, "the cultivation of the ability to write essays, and to speak one's thoughts forcibly while standing before an audience. As for the rest, I should say it is all contained in the words: concentrate, concentrate, work, work."
Mr. Smith has been twice married: First, in early life, to Rebecca, daughter of the late Judge James S. Cothran, of Abbeville, South Carolina, of which marriage were born three children, all of whom were living in 1907; second, to Mary Baker, daughter of the late Judge Edward J. Harden, of Savannah, Georgia; five children were born of this union, all of whom are living in 1907.
His address is Abbeville, South Carolina." - "Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state"
The great-grandfather of J. Allen Smith, William Smith, was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, November 5, 1762, and married Lucy Wright, of the same state. He was a planter and slave owner. He settled in South Carolina, in 1794, at Stony Point, Abbeville county, now Greenwood county. Joel Smith, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the most successful men of his day. He was a prime mover in inaugurating and carrying to a successful issue the building of the Greenville and Columbia railroad, one of the first built in the United States. He was a director of the same, and was also a leading spirit in building the Graniteville Cotton mills, near Augusta, Georgia. He was for years a member of the legislature from Abbeville county, was an elder in the Presbyterian church and esteemed for his high integrity and uprightness of character.
Young Allen Smith was a robust, healthy and active boy, fond of outdoor exercises and athletics. His early life was passed in the village, with vacations spent in the country, at the old homestead at Stony Point. His parents, having ample means, required no manual labor of their son. The influence of his mother was especially strong on the ethical side of his nature. He was rather fonder of reading than of hard study, and read much of history, general literature, and biography, especially delighting in the latter. The influence of home, of school and early companions tended largely to form his disposition and to develop the amiable and softer side of his nature, thus serving as a check against too great sordidness. From private study he obtained his ideals, these rather tending to hero worship and the romantic. The character of Julius Csesar was his youthful beau-ideal, the genius, daring and personal magnetism of the Roman hero taking strong hold of the boy's youthful heart and imagination; and many a youthful escapade received its inspiration from this source. The expression "Always I am Csesar," borrowed, perhaps, from Shakespeare, and the motto, "Every day begin again," have exerted no small influence throughout his whole life, but it was from contact with men in active life that the sterner and no less necessarv traits of character were developed, which have entered very largely into the degree of success he has attained. He feels that he has had little to do with results, these having come to him unknowingly while his attention has been confined to matters in hand.
Educational advantages came to Allen Smith with no material difficulty. He attended the celebrated school of Mr. Edward R. Miles and King's Mountain Military school. Afterward he attended Washington and Lee university at Lexington, Virginia, and studied law privately. Though never admitted to practice, he found the knowledge and training thus gained of great assistance in the work of life.
In choosing a pursuit, Mr. Smith's preference was for the law; circumstances, however, led him into banking. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits and banking at Abbeville, South Carolina, from 1876 to 1906; was president and treasurer of the Abbeville Oil and Fertilizer company, president and treasurer of the Enterprise Ginnery company, president of the Upper Long Cane society, president and treasurer of the Athens Oil and Manufacturing company, of Athens, Georgia, and president of the National Bank of Abbeville from 1889 to the present time (1907). He has always manifested much interest in education and was a member of the county board of education, and was a trustee of Abbeville graded school and of the Presbyterian college of South Carolina. He was first a deacon in the Abbeville Presbyterian church, and afterwards an elder in the same. In addition, he has joined the following associations: The Sons of Confederate veterans, and chosen commander of the local camp; also the society of the Sons of the Revolution. In college he was a member of the Delta Psi fraternity, in which he was gradually advanced to the highest positions. In politics he has always been a Democrat, and, though esteeming the game of politics the most engaging, scientific and intricate of all games, Mr. Smith has never sought or held a political office; though in each generation some member of his family has represented the state in the general assembly. His relaxation is found in reading, traveling, and association with kindred spirits; he has also constantly, throughout life, indulged much in outdoor exercises and in the use of the free arm movements, finding them of great benefit.
To the young he commends "faith in a Supreme Being the only living and true, Triune, God; great reverence for and unremitting study of the Bible (with a good commentary), which aside from its immeasurable religious benefit, is the most interesting of all books; as much and as accurate an acquaintance with history and general literature as is possible; lofty and true ideals, eliminating, as much as possible, the selfish, and encouraging patriotism, especially love of one's own state." He advises, also, "the cultivation of the ability to write essays, and to speak one's thoughts forcibly while standing before an audience. As for the rest, I should say it is all contained in the words: concentrate, concentrate, work, work."
Mr. Smith has been twice married: First, in early life, to Rebecca, daughter of the late Judge James S. Cothran, of Abbeville, South Carolina, of which marriage were born three children, all of whom were living in 1907; second, to Mary Baker, daughter of the late Judge Edward J. Harden, of Savannah, Georgia; five children were born of this union, all of whom are living in 1907.
His address is Abbeville, South Carolina." - "Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state"
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