Allen Smith

Allen Smith was one of Gaston County’s first stock and bond traders. Smith’s fi rm, Jackson and Smith,
was involved in many new stock off erings for local fi rms as well as trading on the NY and
American Exchange. The textile industry was growing, and his fi rm became integral in
starting new textile groups, mergers and other fi nancial matters related to the burgeoning
new textile environment in Gaston County. Smith participated in many community eff orts
including the Chamber of Commerce, and the initial formation of the United Fund, with what
later became the United Way.