Paul Amos Smith was born in 1895 and raised on "Maplewood Farm" on Rock Run, between West Union and Smithburg, West Virginia.
His middle name," Amos" was after his Grandfather, Judge Amos Bee.
When he was five years old, he was thinning the corn rows. He lost the heel of his foot in an accident while driving the horses in the fields. He was on the ball team and a member of the Fraternal Order of R.A.M. at West Union High School.
Paul served as a Pharmacist's Mate in the U.S. Navy on the Troopship, "USS Madawaska" and at the Norfolk Navy Yard Hosp. in World War 1. He later borrowed money from his brother in law, Lathrop Charter and worked his way through the University at Morgantown.
He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Graduated with Honors.
He became an Engineer. One of his projects was the "Liberty Bridge" in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He built bridges and dams in several states. In the early 1930's, he got some beer at a place called "The Shack". They had Banjos and square dancing...and an out house. During the late 1930's, he became Vice-President and General Manager of Hunter Steel Company. When it merged with Dravo Corporation, he became Mechanical
Superintendent of the Dravo Shipyard at Wilmington, Delaware and directed construction of many landing ships, Tanks, L.S.T.s and other amphibious warfare support craft for the war effort during World War II. Later in the war, he founded the Paul Smith Manufacturing Company in Mars, Pennsylvania, which produced a variety of ordnance components and other military hardware.
After the war, Paul Smith Manufacturing Company converted to hardware for locks and dams similar to those he had originally built in earlier years. He had a number of patents. He began to serve as consulting engineer for many enterprises in the area, helping to major buildings, playground and stadium facilities and other projects. He eventually sold off Paul Smith Manufacturing Company, limiting his engineering to regular consulting.
Paul Amos Smith was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, E. Clampus Vitus and Several Charitable organizations.
He established a lodge of ECV near Mars, PA.
Later in life, he sold real Estate with his wife, Margaret and lived in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. While he was at the Veteran's hospital, He was walking around looking bored. He was a quiet man not likely to show pain. Easy to get along with. Dave Kiser came to see him. Dave wears a brace for his polio. Paul Jr. visited shortly before he died in the Veteran's Hospital.