MM Smith |
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Milton Marcellus Smith was born in 1859 in Hardy County, West Virginia. In 1886 he married Fannie G. Thalaker and together they had two children. Mr. Smith became a merchant and in 1883 started a business in Greenland Gap, Grant County. Judging from his ledger book the business was one of general merchandising. He also served as postmaster during the Grover Cleveland administration (his letter of resignation, at the end of Cleveland's term can be found below). Smith's father was a member of the Virginia and West Virginia Legislators and was no doubt instrumental in getting this appointment for his son. In 1889 Smith came to Elkins and started the Smith & Fout Company which later became McCarty, Smith & Fout. After the turn of the century the company became Smith & Wees. Mr. Smith owned the Third Street Store which catered to the needs of the woman. In Elkins, Smith was on the Elkins Board of Trade and became the town's first Town Recorder. Mr. Smith built his house on second street just around the corner from the Tygart Hotel. The old gas company building stands next to it. |
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The stairway as seen when you first enter the home. Upstairs are three bedrooms. If you note the many angles on the outside of the house you will have an idea of the angled inside walls both upstairs and down. |
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The living room fireplace which is centrally located in the house. |
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Looking down the staircase at the stained glass in the front door. Oak floors are found throughout the house. |
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Here is a close-up of the wonderful woodwork that adorns the stately old home. These woodworkers were artists! |
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Imagine going into Elkins Builders Supply and ordering door knobs like this one. Better check your account balance first. |
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Another picture of the oak door. Notice the tall windows at an angle to the front of the living room. |
When Bill and Didi Harkness purchased the home in the spring of 2000 it came with two boxes that act as a time capsule from the original owner, MM Smith. |
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A receipt book for his mercantile store. |
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Cancelled checks from The First National Bank of Cumberland in 1891. Many of the checks were written on trips to PA and MD for goods sold at his store. |
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On January 3, 1888 Mr. Smith resigned as Postmaster of Greenland, WV. It was the end of Grover Cleveland's presidency and I suppose Mr. Smith figured it was time to move on to Elkins anyway. |
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Cancelled checks dated 1887 from Mr. Smith's store in Greenland, WV. |
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Here is a $60 note owed, marked paid, to Henry Gassaway Davis. |
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A handwriting personality flyer found in one of Mr. Smith's |
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Here is a check written to the H. G. Davis Coal Company in 1892. |
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Mr. Smith had excellent handwriting. These are papers for a handwriting course which it appears he had ordered, and received. |
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A business card for the McCarty, Smith and Fout Company. |
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Ever wonder how much it cost to board three horses for 25 days in 1884? Here's the answer! |
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Mr. Smith bought lots in Elkins from a Chenoweth and from HG Davis. |
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Recording fees in Randolph County in 1884. The fees haven't changed much. |
