Introduction
Frank H. Smith was born in Pleasantville, New Jersey around 1860. His father, Benjamin Smith, was one of Camden’s first policemen and later worked as a ship’s carpenter. By the 1880 census, Frank was living at 243 Kaighn Avenue and had taken up the shoemaker’s trade.
Around 1885, Smith entered the wholesale banana business, which became his main activity after 1891. He operated this business in South Camden for 40 years. Following his wife’s death in 1913, he moved to Audubon to stay with his daughter Mattie and her husband Harry Blake. Smith retired in 1925, spent two years in Florida, and then returned to Audubon, where he died on May 14, 1935. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Camden.
Frank H. Smith Dies. Lived In City 60 Years
Camden Courier-Post —
Frank H. Smith, 75, who for 40 years was a wholesale banana merchant in South Camden, died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Harry E. Blake, at 26 Payson avenue, Audubon, Tuesday from a cerebral hemmorhage [sic]. He was a resident of Camden for 60 years. He was the son of the late Benjamin Smith, one of the first policemen in Camden. He was born in Pleasantville. He retired from business in 1925, went to Florida for two years, returning to New Jersey to make his home in Audubon. In addition to Mrs. Blake, he is survived by two other daughters, Miss Martha Smith, of Camden; and Mrs. Katherine Rathgebler, of Audubon; two sons, William J. Smith, of Pitman, and Elmer Smith; and eight grandchildren. His wife died in Camden in 1913. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Audubon home and burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.