Memorable Manitobans: Harold Van Wort Smith (1879-1964)

Laundryman, sheriff.

Born at Hainsville, New Brunswick on 22 November 1879, son of Isaac H. Smith and Mary Jane Smith, he moved to Cranbrook, British Columbia in 1904 and established a laundry business. He later went to Regina, Saskatchewan where he was superintendent of the Regina Steam Laundry for six years then the Brandon Steam Laundry for two years. He moved to Dauphin in 1912 and purchased the Dauphin Steam Laundry. On 14 October 1922, he was appointed Sheriff of the Dauphin Judicial District.

On 23 June 1915, he married Eva Mabel Merrell (?-?) at Dauphin and they had seven children: Viola Smith (?-?, wife of T. Davidson), Myrtle Evangeline Smith (1918-?, wife of ? Schule), Roy Smith (?-?), Arthur Smith (?-?), Robert Merrell “Bob” Smith (1920-?), Gordon Smith (?-?), and Ralph Smith (?-?). He volunteered with the local fire department and was its Fire Chief. He served on the Dauphin town council (four years) and was elected Mayor of Dauphin in 1921. He resigned to accept the position as Sheriff. He was a member of the Canadian Club, IOOF (Past Noble Grand of Dauphin Lodge No. 36), Rotary Club, and First Baptist Church.

He died at Victoria, British Columbia on 8 February 1964.

Sources:

Marriage registration [Harold Vanwart Smith, Eva Mabel Merrell], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Birth registrations [Myrtle Evangeline Smith, Robert Merrell Smith], Manitoba Vital Statistics.

Pioneers and Prominent People of Manitoba, Winnipeg: Canadian Publicity Company, 1925.

Death registration [Harold Van Wort Smith], British Columbia Vital Statistics.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 10 February 1964.

This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 26 June 2023

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

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