Paul Jordan Smith (his name was not hyphenated until later in life; see below) was born in Wytheville, Virginia. His father, John Wesley Smith, was a Southern Methodist minister who dreamed of starting a college and invested in land in Dade County, Georgia, outside Chattanooga, Tennessee. His wife (the former Lucy Jordan) and son joined him there in 1891, but the venture failed and the family returned to Virginia.
Paul Jordan Smith (his name was not hyphenated until later in life; see below) was born in Wytheville Virginia His father John Wesley Smith was a Southern Methodist minister who dreamed of starting a college and invested in land in Dade County Georgia outside Chattanooga Tennessee His wife (the former Lucy Jordan) and son joined him there in 1891 but the venture failed and the family returned to Virginia