Hanover P. Smith (1861-1916), who was sometimes referred to as "Peter," was born in Wilton, Maine, and died in Cincinnati, Ohio. He first met Mary Baker Eddy in about 1879 when his mother, Susan R. Smith, brought him to see Eddy. On that visit, Eddy healed him of being deaf and mute. In 1880, in May and February respectively, both Hanover and his mother took Primary class instruction from Eddy. He was one of the incorporators of the Massachusetts Metaphysical College in July 1880 and lived there during the spring and summer of 1882. He became a member of the Christian Science Association around 1880 and served as clerk of the Church of Christ (Scientist) from December 1881 until December 1882. Smith began practicing Christian Science in the early 1880s and was also teaching it by 1887. He was listed in The Christian Science Journal from its first issue in 1883 until 1893. In 1886 he published Writings and Genius of the Founder of Christian Science, a pamphlet funded by Eddy. He took the Obstetrics class from Eddy on June 6, 1887. He was one of the First Members of The Mother Church, later known as "Executive Members," who was one of twenty elected to join the original twelve members of the church when it was formed on September 23, 1892. He also lectured in the Upper Midwest, New England, and Canada between 1891 and 1893. Sometime in the 1890s Smith began suffering from mental health problems that would ultimately lead to his commitment at the Longview State Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, by 1900. He remained there until his passing.

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