The son of Leeming Smith and Martha Smith from Cowling in Yorkshire, he was first employed as a mill boy at the age of 8. He became vice-president and Secretary of the Colne Overlookers Association in 1898, and later secretary of the Nelson Overlookers Association. In 1902, and again from 1920 to 1927, he was the president of the General Union of Powerloom Overlookers, and he was also president of the Nelson and District Textile Trades Federation.
