Lee S. Smith was-born at Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, on April 24, 1844. After completing his public school education he studied dentistry. After his graduation he practiced for a time in Pittsburgh, but soon entered into the manufacture of all kinds of dental supplies, which he carried on until the time of his death. He built up a successful business in this field.
During the Civil War he enlisted in the First Battalion of Pennsylvania Artillery and later in the 101st Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged from service in 1865 with the rank of sergeant. Upon the reorganization of the Pennsylvania National Guard after the war, he was appointed Assistant Adjutant General of the Second Brigade with the rank of major. He became a charter member and later Commander of Post 3 of the Grand Army of the Republic.
For two terms he was president of the Chamber of Commerce of Pittsburgh and later served on the board of directors.
Sir Knight Smith was a great traveler and visited practically all the European countries as well as Egypt, Syria, Palestine, the West Indies, and parts of South America. He toured Mexico in 1901 and in 1903 and 1904 made a trip around the world. He was the author of "Through Egypt to Palestine" and Round the World Toward the Westering Sun," which received favorable notice from book reviewers. He was well known as a public lecturer, and gave many talks for the benefit of the Masonic fraternity, church, and charitable organizations. His deeds of kindness, courtesy and benevolence endeared him to all with whom he came in contact.
On October 15, 1868, he married Miss Agnes Savilla Wolf of Pittsburgh, who died in 1905. They had one son who was associated with his father in the dental supply business. In 1913 he married Mrs. Mary C. Applegate of Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
Sir Knight Smith was made a Mason in Franklin Lodge No. 221 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After moving to Bellevue, a suburb of Pittsburgh, he became charter member and the first Master of Bellevue Lodge No. 530. Later he affiliated with Franklin Lodge No. 221.
He was exalted in Duquesne Chapter No. 193 in Pittsburgh in 1867, and was greeted in Allegheny Council No. 38 of Pittsburgh in 1873.
In the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite he received the 320 degree in Pennsylvania Consistory at Pittsburgh in 1875 and the 33o in 1890.
He was knighted in Allegheny Commandery No. 35 of Pittsburgh on August 29, 1871. He was Eminent Commander in 1877-78, and was elected Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Pennsylvania in 1888.
He was appointed Grand Standard Bearer at the Conclave of the Grand Encampment in 1898, and in 1913 he was elected Deputy Grand Master. Due to the death of Grand Master MacArthur on December 27, 1914, he became Acting Grand Master. At the Thirty-third Conclave of the Grand Encampment in Los Angeles in 1916 he was elected Grand Master.Reference: From Dr. Francis J. Scully's...History of the Grand Encampment, Chapter XXIII, Biographies Of The Grand Masters, as published in the Knight Templar Magazine
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