GEORGE L. SMITH is a veteran of the World War and a successful young business man of Lorain, where he is secretary and treasurer of the American Crucible Products Company.  He was born at Bucyrus, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1897, the son of John S. and Daisy (Kramer) Smith.
     John S. Smith was born at New Winchester, Ohio, and his wife is a native of Bucyrus.  As a young man he became identified with the Ohio Fuel Gas Utilities Company, with whom he has been associated throughout his entire career.  He is now manager of the Ashland district, where he resides.  Mr. Smith is a Republican, a member of St. John's German Reformed Church, and belongs to the Elk and Eagle lodges.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two sons: George L., the subject of this sketch: and Paul, who lives in Lorain.
     George L. Smith obtained his education in the public schools of Bucyrus, Willard and Plymouth, being graduated from Plymouth High School in 1915.  He then entered the employ  of the Logan Gas Company, and traveled throughout Ohio for the company in the installation of industrial furnaces.  For a time he was connected with the company's offices in Elyria.  In 1918  Mr. Smith volunteered for servie in the World War and was sent to Camp Sherman, Ohio, later Being Transferred to camp Johnston, Jacksonville, Fla., where he attended an officers training school.  For a time he was stationed at Camp Knox, Ky., with an engineering corps, and was discharged from the service in March, 1919, with the rank of quartermaster sergeant, senior grade.  Mr. Smith resumed his former employment with the Logan Gas Company in their Lorain offices, and after a short time became cashier.  In June, 1920, he entered the employ of the American Crucible Products Company as a bookkeeper in their Elyria offices.  He was elected secretary and treasurer of the company in 1925, and was also appointed general manager.  The plant and business was removed to Lorain in August, 1926.
     On Oct. 26, 1928, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Mary Louise Barres, the daughter of Casper and Louise Barres, of Elyria.  He is also connected with the American Crucible Products Company.
     Mr. Smith is affiliated with Lorain Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 552; B. P. O. Elks, No. 1301; and is a Republican in politics.
Source: History of North Central Ohio, Embracing Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Medina, Lorain, Huron & Knox Counties, Vol. III - Published 1931 - Page 1279

LEON D. SMITH.  One of the prominent men of Wellington is Leon D. Smith, who holds the office of mayor.  He is also manager of the western territory of Telling-Belle Vernon Company, of Cleveland.  Mr. Smith was born at Parkman, Geauga County, Ohio, July 2, 1870, the son of Newell and Betty (Dunn) Smith.
     Newell Smith was born at Parkman, Ohio, as was his wife.  He became highly successful as a cheese manufacturer in North Central Ohio, and was a pioneer in that particular business.  He later owned and operated a farm at Troy, Ohio.  He was the brother of the late Hon. Henry K. Smith, who served as probate judge of Geauga County for a period of 42 years.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith, deceased, are buried at Parkman.  He was a Republican, a member of the Universalist Church, and belonged to Parkman Lodge, F. & A. M.  Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith: Ralph and Mary, both deceased; and Leon D., the subject of this sketch.
     As a boy Leon D. Smith attended the Parkman public schools, from which he was graduated.  He also attended Hiram College, and for several years was interested in the manufacture of cheese.  He came to Wellington in 1904 as manager of the local plant of the Telling-Belle Vernon Company, later being appointed manager of the western territory of the company, with supervision over nine of the company's plants, most of which were erected under the able management of Mr. Smith.  He has been highly successful in his work at the Wellington plant and is numbered among the company's able executives.
     Mr. Smith was married (first) in 1892 to Miss Nellie J. Ensign, who died at Parkman in 1915.  She was the daughter of Henry and Jane (Hopkins) Ensign, who were natives of Geauga County.  Both are deceased.  Three children were born to Leon D. and Nellie J. (Ensign) Smith:  1. Harold, lives in Cleveland, where he is identified with the insurance and employment department of  the Telling-Belle Vernon Company.  He married Miss Louise Smith, and they have a daughter, Betty Louise.  By a former marriage, he has two children, Leon and Myron.  2. Newell, lives at Bloomville, N. J., where he is identified with the General Electric Company.  He married Miss Leola Craypeau, and they have three children: Robert, Laven, and Nevelle.  3. Rachel Smith Philips lives in Cleveland and has three children: Gen, Fay and Arthur.
     Mr. Smith was married (second) to Mrs. Belle Mills Wilbeck, the daughter of Edwin Mills, of Litchville, Ohio, a Civil War veteran.
     Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican.  He was elected a member of the city council in November, 1921, and re-elected to that office for four successive terms, being president of the body from 1927 until 1929.  At the death of O. B. Williams, he was appointed mayor by virtue of holding the office of president of the council.
     Mr. Smith is a member of the Congregational Church, and belongs to the Kiwanis Club; Wellington Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 127; Wellington Chapter, R. A. M.; and Order of Eastern Star, Temple Chapter, No. 103, Past Worthy Patron.
Source: History of North Central Ohio, Embracing Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Medina, Lorain, Huron & Knox Counties, Vol. III - Published 1931 - Page 1600