William Dorr Smith, proprietor of Smith’s Business College of Concord, was born in Wilmington, Vt., February 22, 1867, son of Francis R. and Jeanette (Powers) Smith. His father was a native of Wilmington. His mother was born in Marlboro, Vt. His paternal great-grand-father, Jabez Smith, born at Dover, Mass., was grandson of Caleb Smith, born at Needham, Mass., in 1720. His paternal greatgrandmother, Chloe Richards, born at Dedham, Mass., was a direct descendant of Edward Richards, born in England in 1610.
William Dorr Smith began his education in Wilmington, and later attended Glenwood Academy at West Brattleboro. At the age of twenty he began teaching in the public schools of Newfane, and later taught for some time in the public schools of Brattleboro, Vt. Soon after graduating from Hinmar’s Business College of Worcester, Mass., he accepted a position there as teacher, and remained thus employed for four years. Soon after leaving there he came to Concord, N.H., and opened the commercial school known as Smith’s Business College.
Despite the discouraging prospects and prophecies, he has by quiet and persistent effort succeeded where others have failed, in building up a thriving institution that is to-day regarded as an important factor in the education of the young people of New Hampshire.
Mr. Smith has always been a Republican in politics.