Source: Pennsylvania, A History, George P. Donehoo, (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Co., 1926), p. 20
Surnames: Smith, Bonstein, Weiler, Leisenring, Clappison, Curtis
Journalism has been the sphere of service in which Colonel Smith's active career has centered, while his military record in war and peace is impressive. Allentown, Pennsylvania, is his home and the "Morning Call", of this city, the newspaper to whose standing and popularity, he has made an important contribution.
Born July 29, 1874, in Easton, Pennsylvania, he is the son of John Jackson and Sue (Bonstein) Smith, both of whom are now deceased. His father was also a prominent newspaper man, having been editor of the Easton "Daily Express" from 1871 to 1879, and of the Easton "Daily Argus". His military record dates from 1874 to 1877, when he was sergeant of the "Easton Greys", Company F, 4th Pennsylvania Infantry, Pennsylvania National Guard. He also served faithfully as a member of Easton's Fire Department, being chief of the department from 1879 to 1897.
Colonel Clarence J. Smith attended the public schools of Easton for his education, after which he began the life of a business man. He began his duties at the early age of nineteen as a reporter for the "Daily Argus", of which his father was editor and in this work he showed initiative and ability, which caused him to rise rapidly. Later, in 1904, he became editor of this paper, and in 1910 he came to Allentown as city editor of the "Morning Call", filling this responsible office until 1917, when the United States entered the World War, when he enlisted for service in that great struggle with the Pennsylvania National Guard. Previous to this, on July 12, 1898 he enlisted in the Spanish-American War, and served in Company E., 11th Infantry Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard; on July 28, 1898 he was made sergeant. Continuing his service in the Guard, he was commissioned second lieutenant on January 22, 191 and first lieutenant on February 7, 1902. On September 22, 1912, he was commissioned second lieutenant of the Regimental Staff, 4th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment; November 19, 1913, commissioned captain and regimental quartermaster of the Regiment. In June, 1916, Mr. Smith went to the Mexican border with the Pennsylvania National Guard, returning in the spring of 1917, when he resumed his duties as city editor of the "Morning Call", continuing until July 28, 1917, when he was commissioned major of infantry and assigned to the 28th Pennsylvania Division, Ammunition Train. He went overseas with the 28th Division in May, 1918, and remained with this division until April 11, 1919, when he was assigned to the 7th Regular Division and assigned to do duty as conducting and lecturing officer with Visitor's Bureau of the American Expeditionary Forces, conducting parties over the battlefields. In September, 1919, he returned to the United States, and was discharged from the service at Camp Dix, New Jersey, September 22, 1919. Following the war he took active part in reorganizing the Pennsylvania National Guard; he was appointed lieutenant-colonel of infantry, November 13, 1920, and in 1923 he was promoted to colonel and assigned to command the 213th Coast Artillery Regiment (anti-aircraft), in which office he is still serving.
Shortly after his return from France, in the fall of 1919, Mr. Smith organized, with two partners, Royal W. Weiler and Peter W. Leisenring, the Herald Publishing Company, at Allentown, publishing the "Morning Herald" and the "Evening Item". This continued until March 17, 1920, when they purchased the "Morning Call" and merged into the Allentown Call Publishing Company, at which time they published the "Morning Call" and the "Evening Item", the latter being sold in 1922. All their efforts are now being centered on the "Morning Call" of which Colonel Clarence J. Smith is the managing editor.
Mr. Smith has made many friends both inside and out of Allentown, and has the happy faculty of holding them. In politics he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, but has never held public office. His fraternal associations include: Allentown Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Lehigh Lodge, No. 83, Independent Order of Odd Fellows: and he is a member of the Sons of Veterans; Paul Lentz Post, American Legion; Holveck Post, No. 538, Veterans of Foreign Wars; Allentown Sector Army Association of the United States; Pennsylvania Commandery, Military Order of Foreign Wars. He also holds membership in the Allentown Young Men's Christian Association, the Travelers' Protective Association, the Inter State Circulation Managers' Association; the State Editorial Association; the Allentown Chamber of Commerce, and his clubs are: The Rotary of Allentown, the Lehigh Valley Motor, and the Advertising, Livingston, and Lehigh Country of Allentown; the Officers Club of the 28th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, of Pennsylvania and the Poor Richard Club of Philadelphia. Mr. Smith and family are members of Grace Episcopal Church of Allentown.
Colonel Clarence J. Smith married April 30, 1906, Ethel Frances Clappison, daughter of David B. and Lillian (Curtis) Clappison, and they are the parents of two children: Jack Clappison, born at Easton, March 5, 1909; and Clarence James, Jr., born at Allentown, November 7, 1912.
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