Charles Smith

Charles Smith (14 Sept. 1807 - 6 April 1896) was the son of Joshua and Anna (Allen) Smith.

He married Mary Abbe Smith (1816-1901), and they had two children: Guilford Smith (1839-1923) and Mary Smith Woodward (1842-1940).

Smith learned the trades of wheelwright and millwright in Windham, and in 1835 he was in charge of a group of men employed at Stafford in building a paper-making machine. The machine was a success, and Smith became the superintendent of the Phelps and Spafford factory in South Windham. He later purchased the factory with Harvey Winchester in the panic of 1837. This was then operated as Smith, Winchester & Co. until his death. He was also one of the incorporators of the Windham National Bank, and was a director until his death. He also served as first selectman.