Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    W. J. SMITH

    W. J. SMITH, proprietor of the Enterprise Foundry Company of Troy, Ohio, with plant situated on West Main Street and the city limits, is an enterprising and representative business man of Troy. Mr. Smith was born in the great city of London, England, in 1866, and he came to America when a youth of seventeen years.

    During a residence of some five years at Detroit, Michigan, Mr. Smith learned the foundry business in every detail and went from there to Chicago, Illinois, where lie was engaged in the business for one and a half years. He then returned to Detroit and went from there to Toronto, Canada. He then visited his native land but his years of absence had changed his views in many ways and he decided to again make the United States his home. He again worked at Detroit, then at Chicago and from there went to Moline, Illinois. After spending a considerable period of time there, he went back to Detroit and then visited Piqua, Ohio. For three years he was with the Favorite Stove and Range Company, after which he organized the Ideal Stove and Foundry Company, and after buying out the Girard Stove and Foundry Company at Youngstown, Ohio, located at Daleville, Indiana. He only remained at that point for seven months, finding better business opportunities as superintendent of the Chicago Stove Company, a position he filled for four years, after which he returned to Piqua and then organized the Enterprise Foundry Company, as sole proprietor. I-le continued there six years when, on February 1, 1900, he leased the Troy Foundry & Machine Company and he now operates his entire business under the style of the Enterprise Foundry Company. He is interested in other enterprises and is a man of ample fortune, all of which he has made for himself in legitimate business.

    In 1895 Mr. Smith was married to Ida May Tietj , whose father, Henry A. Tietje, is a prominent contractor at Dayton, and whose grandfather was a pioneer manufacturer there. Mr. and Mrs. Smith leave one son, James Henry. Mr. Smith is a member of the Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge Chapter, and Council. He is also an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk, and a member of the Order of Foresters, and is an honorary member also of the Iron Moulder's Union of North America, and of the Past Chancellor's Association of Miami Count y. He is more or less active in politics and served as central committeeman of his ward in Piqua.

    Return to the Biography Index

    Return to Main Page


    Copyright © 1998 by Computerized Heritage Association.
    All Rights Reserved.