1914 Biography - Beverly W. Smith, M.D.

Smith, Beverly W., L. D., Franklin, St. Mary parish, La., was born at Franklin, April 17, 1870; son of Beverly Chew and Lillie (Walker) Smith, both of whom were born at Franklin. The paternal grandfather, Simeon Smith, born at Hartford, Conn., 1801, died at Franklin in 1853. The maternal grandfather, Marcus Walker, born at Waterbury, Conn., died at New York in 1879, aged 72 years. He was buried at Franklin. Simeon Smith located at Franklin in the late 20's and opened a general merchandise business. He possessed considerable means, and shortly after locating at Franklin began operating a line of steamers between Franklin and New York City, and through this medium largely supplied Franklin and the surrounding country with merchandise. He was one of the first merchants at Franklin, and continued in mercantile business there until his death from yellow fever Dec. 12, 1853. His widow survived him until Sept. 1874. Marcus Walker also was a pioneer of St. Mary parish. Locating there as a young man, he engaged in sugar planting, his place being known as Tidal Wave Plantation. He also engaged in mercantile business, and became a large cotton buyer. He married Miss Sarah Trowbridge, a daughter of one of the old-settled American families. Mrs. Walker died in 1871. Marcus Walker had gone to New York City for medical treatment and while there his death occurred. He was carried to Franklin for burial. When Simeon Smith came south he was accompanied by his brother, Icabod, but the latter died shortly after locating at Franklin. Beverly Chew Smith enlisted in the Confederate army as a member of Vinson's scouts, and did valiant service in the cause of the South throughout the Civil war. After the surrender he returned to Franklin and devoted his abilities to mercantile pursuits until his death in Feb., 1880. He is survived by his widow and 3 children at this time. Beverly W. Smith was educated in private schools. He entered the University of Alabama in 1888, taking the scientific course, but left the university in his junior year. In 1890 he entered the medical department of Tulane university, graduating with the degree of M. D. in 1893. Immediately following his return from the medical school he began general practice at Franklin, where he has since remained and devoted his energies and abilities to his profession. In 1902 Dr. Smith established the St. Mary sanitarium at Franklin and has since conducted this as a private institution. In 1895 Dr. Smith was married to Miss Daisy Williams, a daughter of C. C. Williams of Lafourche parish. Two children have been born to them, viz.: Beverly Chew, now at the University of Virginia, and Daisy Bell. Dr. Smith and family affiliate with the Episcopal church. He votes the democratic ticket. In 1892 the doctor was appointed by Gov. Foster as superintendent of public schools, to fill an unexpired term. He was reappointed, and served 6 years in that office. In 190-8 he was appointed by Gov. Sanders to the office of vice-president of the Louisiana State Board of Health. He resigned from this office in the latter part of 1913. While so serving he was one of the committee that drafted the Louisiana sanitary code, which involved a great deal of painstaking labor. He is a member of the Attakapas clinical, Louisiana State Medical and Southern Medical societies; Southern Surgical, and American Medical associations; Association of Louisiana R. R. surgeons, and is division surgeon of the Southern Pacific R. R.; member of the Masonic fraternity, and of Kappa Alpha.

Extracted 2020 Nov 01 by Norma Hass, from Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, published in 1914, volume 3, pages 400-401.

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