Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/622

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

same purpose ; a History of the Society of the Cincinnati and numerous translations. Among the latter was a translation of "Black Beauty" into Spanish, for the American Humane Society, purely a labor of love. He died at Richmond, April 12, 1900, aged sixty- six years.

Mr. Mayo married, in 1870, Marguretta Ellen, daughter of Governor Henry A. Wise, of Virginia. Children : Sarah Ser- geant, married Dr. William Tell Oppe-

himer; Mary Lyons, married Crea-

shaw ; Ellen Wise, married Oppen-

himer; Henry Wise, graduated from the law department of Virginia, 1898; Ann, married ■ • Latimer.

Rev. Hugh C. Smith, D. D. An eminent

minister of the gospel, the efficient secretary ot the Virginia Baptist Association for nearly a quarter of a century, an author and a popular and interesting lecturer. Dr. Smith has lived a life of great usefulness and has won the hig'hest respect of his contempo- raries in church and fraternal orders. Nor has his usefulness ended, nor is it on the wane, for earnest, eloquent and practical, he is bringing to his work not only devo- tion and enthusiasm but scholarly attain- ment, long experience and thorough under- standing. He has served many pulpits of his church, several church edifices rear their spires heavenward as a result of his labors, while the spiritual values of his pastorate in these communities cannot be fully under- stood until the day of final reckoning. The literature of his college and church has been enriched by his pen and brain, while the general prosperity and usefulness of the church he serves has been greatly enhanced by his tireless, efficient work as secretary of the associated churches of his state, The Virginia Baptist Association.

Rev. Hugh C. Smith was born in Peters- burg, Virginia, February 16, 1854, son of James Edward and Louisa (Crowder) Smith. James Edward Smith was born in Petersburg, Virginia, in 1822, died in 1864. He was an architect and contractor, designer and builder of many of the cotton mills of the south. He married Louisa Crowder, born in Amelia county, Virginia, in 1823, died in 1883. Children: Georgianna, born in Petersburg in 1849, married Robert A. Watson, of Tarboro, North Carolina ; Mar- garet Lena, born in Petersburg in 1852, mar-

ried Richard H. Elam ; Hugh C, of further mention ; Oliver Mason, born in Petersburg in 1859, deceased; Goldson Lee, born in Petersburg in 1862, deceased.

Rev. Hugh C. Smith secured his prepara- tory education in Petersburg private schools and in 1871 entered Richmond College, where he pursued a course of classical study until his graduation. While at college he established and published the "Richmond College Messenger" and was prominent in the fraternity Phi Delta Kappa, also ranking high in his classes. He chose for his life work the holy calling of a minister and for two years pursued studies in divinity at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky. After graduation he was ordained a minister of the Baptist church. His first call was from the church at Emporia, Virginia, where he served most acceptably, erecting North Side Baptist church in 1880. In 1883 '""^ accepted a call from the church at Boykins, Virginia, and after a successful pastorate of five years there became pastor of the church at Jar- rett, Virginia, continuing until 1892. He was then called to the church at Alartins- ville, Virginia, where he spent ten fruitful years, followed by two years pastorate at Roanoke, Virginia, and three years at West Appomattox, Virginia. He was then again called to the Emporia church, spending four years in pleasant reunion with the church to which he first ministered as a novice in pastoral duty. In 1910 he accepted his pres- ent pastorate at Christiansburg, Virginia. In 1891, Dr. Smith was elected secretary of the Virginia Baptist Association and has served continually in that office until the present date, a period of twenty-three years, during which time he gave efficient service.

Dr. Smith is the author of the "History of the Appomattox Baptist Church," pub- lished in 1904, the "Blue Ridge Baptist Church," written while stationed at Martins- burg, and of many articles and essays pub- lished in newspapers and magazines. In 191 1 he was honored by his Alma Mater with the degree of Doctor of Divinity and has received many testimonials from his brethren in appreciation of his merit and devotion.

Dr. Smith was "made a mason" in Boy- kins Lodge, No. 64, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and is now affiliated with McDaniels Lodge of Christiansburg; is chai>lain of