8,078
edits
Changes
no edit summary
'''Charles V. Smith''' was one of the first black physicians to practice in Pensacola.
A graduate of Pensacola native, Smith attended the famed [[Wikipedia:Tuskegee University|Tuskegee Institute]], Smith then went on to attend . After graduating from [[Wikipedia:Meharry Medical College|Meharry Medical College]]in 1894, Smith practiced medicine in Georgia and South Florida before returning to Pensacola around 1899.<ref>Washington, Booker T. (1907). ''The Negro in Business'', p. 233. Hertel, Jenkins & Co., after which he established a medical Chicago.</ref> By 1907, Smith had "the largest colored practice " in Pensacola, according to [[Wikipedia:Booker T. Washington|Booker T. Washington]], who mentioned Smith in his book ''The Negro in Business,'' describing Smith as "a specialist" who "is highly regarded in his community."
In 1912, Smith served as president of the Pensacola Negro Business League, an affiliate of the National Negro Business League established by [[Wikipedia:Booker T. Washington|Booker T. Washington]] in 1900. Smith was instrumental in organizing Washington's [[March 1]], [[1912]] visit to Pensacola, presiding over the capacity crowd event at the [[Pensacola Opera House]].
In 1918, Smith was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the Medical Reserve Corps of the U.S. Army.<ref>"Doings at Meharry College." Nashville Globe. 15 March 1918.</ref> That same year, Smith's daughter Lorine died of typhoid fever at the age of just 20.<ref>Florida Certificate of Death for Lorine E. Smith</ref>