Preston Webb Smith

Title: Preston Webb Smith
Description: Founder of The Greer Citizen
Biographical Text: P. W. Smith had been a photographer in Central, SC; he became "a newspaper man of considerable reputation" in Williamston before coming to Greer early in 1918 to buy the defunct Greer Observer's assets on April 13, 1918 and relaunched it as The Greer Citizen. The first issue published on May 10, 1918. His wife, Lula Lamb Smith, ran the newspaper office and wrote on social matters; his sons Charles and William also worked with the paper. He owned the paper from 1918 until 1936, with some changes in ownership along the way.

In 1924 Smith purchased land in LaFeria, Texas, where he established a grapefruit plantation. This venture did not last long; by July of 1931 Smith was again listed as owner and publisher.
Bibliography: Belcher, Ray, and Joada P. Hiatt.
Legendary Locals of Greer, South Carolina.
Arcadia Publishing, 2012.
Relation: Photograph: Greer Citizen printing office, 1936; The Greer Citizen

Media: P W Smith.jpg; The_Greenville_News_1924_09_14_Page_28 - PW Smiths grapefruit venture.jpg

The Greer Citizen