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    HON. J. HARRISON SMITH

    Hon. J. Harrison Smith. The possessor of a record of more than ordinary merit as a member of the bench and bar of Piqua, Hon. J. Harrison Smith is gaining added distinction by the manner in which he is discharging his duties as mayor of this enterprising and progressive city. Mayor Smith is a native son of Piqua, born September 1, 1861, his parents being John F. and Mary (Stoner) (Sullenbarger) Smith. John F. Smith enlisted as a Union soldier during the war between the states, and as a member of Company K, First Ohio Infantry, died of wounds received at the battle of Stone River Tenn., March 23, 1863. J. Harrison Smith attended the country schools. He graduated from the high school at Piqua in 1884 and attended Ohio Wesleyan University one year, 1885-1886, then attended Harvard two years, 1887 and 1888. After studying law with John McDonald for a time, he entered politics, and was elected secretary of the county central committee. Later he was appointed special government agent in Arkansas and Mississippi on mortgage indebtedness certificates, a law having been passed by congressional enactment to compile the mortgaged indebtedness of the country. Mr. Smith later went to Washington, D. C., to help complete the work of classification, having secured this appointment by competitive examination and being chosen first of all competitors by a process of elimination. When he had completed these duties he entered Columbian University Law School, now George Washington Law School, Washington , D. C., where he received the degrees of Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws, and, returning to Piqua, engaged in the practice of his profession. June 7, 1896, he was nominated prosecuting attorney and was subsequently elected to that office, in which he served efficiently for six years. During the time he was in this office he was elected probate judge of Miami county and acted ably in that capacity for one term. He has since been engaged in general practice and is accounted one of the foremost members of the Miami county bar. In 1919 Judge Smith was nominated the candidate of the Non-Partisan ticket, for the office of mayor of Piqua, and in a campaign with the Socialist candidate, was successful over his opponent, taking office January 1, 1920 his administration has already been characterized by work of a constructive nature which has served to win public confidence Mayor Smith married Anna, daughter of Bernard and Kate (Ford) Ball, of St. Louis. Mrs. Smith died March 17, 1919, having been the mother of three children: J. Harrison, Jr., who is deceased, and William Fred and Mary Catherine, who reside with their father. Mayor Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church., and his fraternal connections include membership in the Masons, Elks and Red Men.

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