Luther Smith of Keane, New Hampshire.

Luther Smith was born in Colrain, Massachusetts, around 1767 and moved to Keene, New Hampshire, sometime around 1793. He was involved in several businesses in Keene over the years. He is best known today as a Clockmaker. His Keene, NH shop was on Federal Row, now Main Street. IN 1794, he purchased two businesses from Nathan Blake. The first was a sawmill, and the second was a gristmill. They were located on what is now known as West Street. Both of these businesses were sold with water privileges from the Ashuelot River. Smith built the first public clock in Keene in 1794. It was installed in the old meeting house at the head of Main Street at a construction cost of 36 pounds. This transaction also included a ten-year warranty. The clock's one dial faced south. Unfortunately, the clock was lost in 1828 when the meeting house was moved. Thomas Shapley advertised on December 2 of that year in the Columbian Informer and or the Chesire Journal that he "Respectfully informs the Public, that he carries on the business of Sleigh, Sign, and Clock Face Painting, at the shop of Mr. Luther Smith, opposite Mr. Ralston's Tavern; where any commands in that line will be punctually attended to, faithfully executed, and the smallest favors gratefully acknowledged." In 1798, Smith married Sarah Eveleth in Bolton, Massachusetts. Smith continued to prosper. In 1805, he built the first brick tavern house in Keene. This building was located on the northwest corner of Court and School Streets. He sold that house in 1814 to Elijah Parker. Smith died on October 21, 1839, at the age of 73. He is buried in the Washington Street Cemetery.

Today, a small number of clocks are known. They include several tall clocks, banjo clocks, New Hampshire mirror clocks, and tower clocks.