WILLIAM OTWAY SMITH
Was born in Gordonsville, Virginia, August 15, 1861. His father was
Benjamin Thomas Smith, born in Culpeper, Virginia, entered Confederate
States Army in the Cavalry service, was wounded, and died of
effects of wound at Gordonsville, in 1862. William Smith, brother of
Benj. Thomas, was also in the Confederate States Army, and was
killed in battle. The mother of Mr. Smith, whose maiden name was
Bettie Amanda Blanks, removed to Lynchburg during the war, and
died in November, 1876. In Lynchburg, July 11, 1883, Rev. T. M.
Carson officiating, Wm. Otway Smith married Flora Lee, daughter of
Philip Thornton Withers and Flora Virginia Withers, still residents of
Lynchburg. She was born in Lynchburg, October 25, 1862, and their
children were born here: Wm. Otway, jr., on July 7, 1884; Benj.
Thornton, December 4, 1886. Mr. Smith attended the Lynchburg
schools about six years. In 1879 he clerked for W. D. Smyth, tobacco
jobber. In 1882, went into the same business for himself, and is still
so engaged, a member of the firm of Smith, Stuart & Co.
