George Henry Smith JP was born in Halifax [31st October 1846], the son of Matthew Smith.
He was educated at King Edward's Grammar School, Birmingham.
He was apprenticed to an iron merchant in Birmingham [1860]. In 1864, he returned to Halifax to work for the family's wire-making company Frederick Smith & Company. He became a director of the company.
He was a Radical / Liberal, and a Congregationalist Deacon at Park Congregational Church, Halifax. In 1892, he was elected to Halifax Town Council as a Liberal Councillor for Skircoat Ward. He strongly supported the idea that the trams be operated by the council.
He was Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Probity [1896].
He was Mayor of Halifax [1895-1897]. He was made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough on 9th May 1919..
On 15th January 1896, he formerly opened the Technical College.
On 6th May 1899, he laid the foundation stone for the Victoria Hall. A portrait of Sir George hangs in the Victoria Theatre, Halifax.
In 1870, he married (1) Mary Louisa Farrar.
Mary Louisa was the daughter of John Farrar
Children:
On 7th May 1890, he married (2) Harriet Smith Fisher in Dedham, Massachusetts. The couple had met in Venice during Harriet's European Grand Tour.
Children:
When he was knighted in 1913, he added his wife's name to his own by deed poll, becoming Sir George Henry Fisher-Smith, saying that he wanted to honour his wife for her many public works which included the introduction of Juvenile courts from America to Halifax where she became the first magistrate. It is said that there was another Sir George Smith who was arch-Conservative and George Henry – an arch-Liberal – did not want to be confused with his politics.
Hattie was said to be a formidable lady, and the driving force behind the knighthood.
The family lived at
George Henry died 19th March 1931.
Lady Fisher-Smith remained at The Gleddings until she died in 1938.
The couple were buried at Warley Town Cemetery
See Halifax Cenotaph
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Malcolm Bull 2017 /
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Revised 14:45 on 14th May 2017 / x2085 / 7
