Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/20

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

Texas, with Sutter Bros., of Chicago, and Mr. Oppenheimer, of New York, where he was engaged in the raising of tobacco, and the manufacture of cigars, this proving a profitable line of work. Mr. Smith also spent some time in Cuba, and Vera Cruz, Mexico. Later he returned to Mecklenburg county, Virginia, but at the present time (1914) resides at Murphy's Hotel, Rich- mond, X'irginia. He has been engaged in various occupations, being connected with a number of important business enterprises, among which was the American Seeding Machine Company, the International Har- vester Company, the John Deere Plow Com- pany, and the Richmond Stove Company, and is now engaged in the manufacture and sale of stoves, ranges and hotel equipment, with headquarters in Richmond. They man- ufacture the Smith's Ideal, and Model Range, which is one of the inventions of Mr. Smith, of this review, who is an in- ventor of note in this particular line, hold- ing many patents upon ranges, kitchen equipment and tillage goods, all of which have proven to be of merit and worth, add- ing considerably to the value, durability, practicability and sale of the articles speci- fied. He possesses a large amount of genius, both natural and acquired, and coupled with this is ability of a high order and a mind well stored with useful ideas which he car- ries out to a great extent, thus adding to the comfort and enjoyment of many people. Mr. Smith is a member of the x\ncient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, Improved Order of Red Men, Woodmen of the World, Illinois Commercial Men's Association and the I'raveler's Protective Association. In poli- tics he is a Progressive Republican. To a natural dignity of manner and a personality most pleasing Mr. Smith adds a geniality that has won for him hosts of friends, and whether considered as employee, employer, business man, or in a fraternal sense, he is ever found to be a man true to himself and true to his fellows. A keynote to his suc- cess in his business career is his executive force and mastery of detail in whatever en- gages his attention.

Mr. Smith married. November 2, 1897, Etta Mabel Sandell. daughter of Walker S. and Mattie E. (George) Sandell, and grand- daughter of John E. and Martha M. George

and of Darius Sandell. Children : Lenora B., Frances Ruth, Nannie Lois, George Wil- son, Robert Bryan.

Louis Werner. The safeguarding of a city, the protection of its inhabitants, and tlie preservation of law and order in the community is no easy task, nor one to be approached without due regard for its ser- iousness and responsibility. In Richmond, Virginia, such a task falls to Louis Werner, chief of police of the city, and that he has ably executed this great commission for the past ten years is a lofty tribute to the power and competence of the man. When Mr. Werner assumed the office of chief of police in 1905, it was with the training of seven- teen years in the department as patrolman and sergeant, and since that time he has given to the citizens of Richmond an admin- i.'-tration of his important department, equally efficient, able and reliable, and has made the police standard of Richmond one that is a credit to the city.

Mr. Werner is a son of Philip and Philip- pina (Siegel) Werner, his parents both natives of Bavaria, Germany, and grandson of Philip Werner, of France. His father left his Bavarian home in 1848 and came to New York City, where he followed his trade, that of painter, until his death. His wife, Philippina (Siegel) Werner, was a daughter of Louis Siegel, and they were the parents of three children, Kate and Henry, both de- ceased, and Louis, of whom further.

Louis Werner was born in New York City, July 11, 1856, the death of his father when he was but an infant making him de- pendent upon his own resources for a living. When he was a lad of fourteen years of age he came to Richmond. Virginia, pursuing studies as opportunity offered, and learned the painter's trade, at which he was long employed. In 1888 he was appointed to the Richmond police force in the capacity of patrolman, and for sixteen years gave satis- factory service in this position, at the end of that time gaining a promotion to the rank of sergeant, and nine months later, in April, 1905. becoming chief of police of Richmond. In the ten years of Chief Werner's incum- bency of his office he has instituted numer- ous reforms for the correction of faults in the system which he observed while serving in lower rank, and has manifested his many qualifications for his place. The spirit that