Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/171

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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character. He was a personal friend of the Marquis de Lafayette, who embraced him on his visit to the United States. His sword also was hung up as a memento in Rockdale. These accounts and others of a similar nature affected the boy's youthful imagina- tion potently, and developed in him a love of the old gracious courtesies which marks him to this day. After attending the private schools of Richmond for a number of years. he took a course of more advanced studies in the University School of the same city, where he distinguished himself notably and drew the favorable regard of his professors and instructors upon himself. When he had reached the age of seventeen years he left school and accepted a position as deputy treasurer in the office of the city treasurer. Here he remained for a period of four years, performing his duties in a highly creditable manner, but at the end of that time decided to embark on an enterprise of his own in a mercantile line. He accordingly engaged in a wholesale grain business, under the firm name of Richard H. Smith. At the end of four years, however, he received an excellent offer from the Planters' National Bank to take a position with them as dis- count clerk, which jMr Smith prompth' embraced. This was in the year 1884. and Mr. Smith remained in this service until 1891. when in January he became the cashier of the Security Savings Bank. This post did not last much above a year, however, for in April of the following year, 1892, the Planters' National Bank offered him the same position, cashier, in that institution, and he returned to it. On April 15, 1892. he took up his new duties and has continued in that capacity up to the present time (1914). On January 10. 1911. the office of vice-president was added to that of cashier in recognition of the invaluable services he has rendered the iiank. so that his position is now a double one. Mr. Smith's business career has been a brilliant one, and his finan- cial prominence is great in Richmond, recog- nized throughout a much larger circle, than that represented merely by his own bank. He combines with an unimpeachable record for integrity the two cardinal qualifications for a successful banker or business man generally, an alert and progressive mind ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, and a conservative judgment to

distinguish between good and spurious op- portunities.

Mr. Smith married. October 18, 1882. in Markham, Fauquier county. \'irginia. Mary Douthat Barton, a native of Fauquier coun- ty, born August 26, i860. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Charles Marshall and Ellen Harvie (Marshall) Barton, of Fauquier county. Charles Marshall I-iarton was born in Winchester, Virginia, in 1833. He en- listed in Cutshaw Battery in the Confed- erate army during the civil war, and had at- tained the rank of first lieutenant at the time of his death. He was killed while gal- hintly fighting at the second battle of \\'in- chester in 1863. falling thus, as it were, at his own doorstep. His wife, Mrs. Barton, who was a granddaughter of John Alarshall (chief justice), was born in Richmond, but is now a resident of Markham, Fauquier county, at the age of seventy-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hewlett Smith have l.icen born five children, as follows: Mar- shall Barton, born August 29, 1883, now a resident of Markham. Fauquier county ; .Sydney Strother, born August 19. 1887; Ellen Harvie, born September 26, 1891 : Richard Hewlett. Jr.. January 19. 1894; David Barton, who died when but eleven months old. ^^'ith the exception of Mar- shall B.. whose residence has been men- tioned, the remainder all live in Richmond. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Flpiscopal church, and attend the Church of the Good Shepherd of Forest Hill, a suburb of Richmond, Mr. Smith being the senior \\arden. They are active in church work, materially supporting its many benevo- lences, and are rearing their children in the same faith.

Charles W. Mugler. The present incum- bent of the office of postmaster of Newport News. Virginia. Charles \\'. ]\Iugler. is a native of the Old Dominion, has had an active business career in this state, for the ])ast fifteen years has been prominent in the jniblic life of the city he now serves as post- master, and in every respect is a representa- tive \'irginian and res])onsible man of affairs.

Philip Mugler. father of Charles ^V. Mug- ler. was born in Dernorainee, Alsace Lor- raine, France, in 1824, and as a youth of thirteen years immigrated to the United