Born in Stone, Staffordshire, Smith was taught bootmaking by his father, and the two moved first to Worcester, then to Stafford, to find work.
In Stafford, Smith became involved with the trade union movement, and in time became leader of the Staffordshire Riveters.
[1] In 1873, Smith organised a conference which successfully persuaded various local bootmakers' unions to merge.
They formed the National Union of Boot and Shoe Rivetters and Finishers, and Smith easily elected as its first general secretary.
[2][3] Running the union proved difficult, with opposition from some employers, various factions vying for influence, and finances precarious, but it survived.