George H. Fisher-Smith
George H. Fisher-Smith (1846-1931), chairman of Frederick Smith and Co
1931 Obituary [1]
Sir GEORGE H. FISHER-SMITH, J.P., chairman of Frederick Smith & Co., Ltd., Caledonia Works, Halifax, died in his eighty-fifth year at his home in Halifax on March 19, 1931.
Born in Halifax in 1846, he was educated at King Edward Grammar School, and at the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to an iron merchant; later he joined his father and uncle in the wire-making business, and on their death he assumed control of the firm, which under his management, became one of the most extensive in the district, besides having a large branch at Anaconda Works, Salford.
He also became chairman of the London Electric Wire Co and Smiths, Ltd., and a director on the local board of Martins Bank, Ltd.
The son of a former Mayor, he joined the Halifax Borough Council in 1892, from which he retired in 1913, having been Mayor for two years (1895-97); he was chairman of the Finance Committee for eighteen years. He was a J.P. for the borough and the West Riding of Yorkshire.
In 1913 he was knighted, and in 1918 he was made an Honorary Freeman. He was a keen Freemason, being connected with Probity Lodge; in 1922 he was made Past Grand Deacon of England.
He joined the Iron and Steel Institute in 1895.