Gents I will try to dig up my source. The story was that the elder Smith was in the hardware business (in Lisle, as I recall). And at some point he got into partnership with W.H. Baker, who he already knew. And that L.C. and his brother went to work there.

I don't want to assert it off the cuff...let me dig for the source and come back.

EDIT: For the life of me, I cannot find whatever paper I had on this. Or perhaps I'm just confused...either way, don't quote me.

Nudge