Richard Smith

Richard Smith (27 July 1836 – 27 March 1919) was a partner and managing director of the Adelaide, South Australia, firm of George P. Harris, Scarfe & Co., later known as Harris Scarfe. His son Harold Law-Smith was prominent in the history of the company.

History Smith was born in Westerham under engagement to the firm of George P. Harris of Hindley Street, and transferred to Gawler Place in 1864. with Smith as managing director. The company never looked back, but grew into one of the largest firm of traders in the Southern Hemisphere, with a reputation for good products and a fair deal.

Around December 1918 Smith's health began to fail, and only attended his office intermittently, then died after a few weeks' incapacity. The funeral took place on 28 March 1919 and his remains interred in the family vault, Brighton Cemetery.

Other interests From the 1890s Smith was involved with other commercial concerns. He was a director of Mutual Life Insurance Company of Australasia Executor Trustee and Agency Co. of South Australia United Insurance Co. of Australasia Stannary Hills Mining Co. Adelaide Rope, Nail, and Barbed Wire Co. Adelaide Chemical and Fertiliser Co. and was a foundation and life member of the SA Commercial Travellers' Association Inc. at "Sweetholme", his property at Strathalbyn. breeder of shorthorn cattle at "Nomgetty" station of in Western Australia.

Recognition A window in St Peter's Cathedral, Adelaide was dedicated to his memory

Family Richard Smith (born 1836) married Emma Law (1844 – 13 March 1918), daughter of John Law (died 1887?) on 20 March 1869. They had a home "Woodlands" at Partridge-street, Glenelg. They had five daughters and five sons, many of whom used "Law Smith" as a though it were a surname: Bertha Law Smith (4 Feb 1870 – 1947) married Harold Charles Downer (1865 – 1921) on 17 February 1909. He was a son of Henry Edward Downer ( –1905), lived at "Sweet Home Farm", Strathalbyn Edith Smith (10 December 1871 – 22 August 1947) Harold Law Smith (31 December 1973 – 1955) (director of Harris, Scarfe & Co.) living at Glenelg in 1953 Percival "Percy" Law Smith (11 July 1875 – ) married Violet Hilda Shenton, daughter of Sir George Shenton on 10 January 1907. He was manager of the Perth branch of Harris, Scarfe, later living in Melbourne. Gertrude Emma Law Smith (1876 –1941 ) married William Margary Hole ( – ) on 27 August 1904, lived in Adelaide. Mabel Law Smith (1878 – ) married (later Sir) Herbert Sydney Hudd (25 February 1881 – 30 April 1948) on 7 May 1919, living at Glenelg in 1953 (Richard) Edgar Law Smith (29 May 1881 – ) Walter Henry Law Smith (7 Feb 1883 – 18 December 1953) married Agnes Giles on 2 December 1909 (Charles) Gordon Law Smith (23 June 1885 – 24 April 1960) fought in Palestine, married Molly Hawkes on 9 March 1920; lived at Gawler. Catherine Ellen "Nelly" Law Smith (died 26 December 1946) married Max W. Cooksey (died May 1938), lived in Sussex. She was a champion golfer.