HOULTON, Maine — A five-generation family legacy continues following the opening of Smith Brothers of Houlton Plumbing and Heating.
A Houlton native with nearly 20 years of industry experience, owner David E. Smith is proudly carrying on the family tradition in the plumbing and heating business, which dates back to 1882, when the original Smith Brothers store opened in Houlton’s Market Square.
Founded by David’s great-great-grandfather Addison Pineo Russell Smith and his brother Frank Recinal Smith, the store specialized in selling model stoves, lead pipe and tinware, and offered valuable plumbing and heating assistance to the community.
David’s father, Stephen Smith, who owned and operated Smith Bros. Plumbing and Heating until he passed away in 2004, introduced both David and David’s younger brother Frank to the plumbing and heating business at an early age.
David said he remembers being inspired by the relationships his father Stephen had with his customers. “I always marveled at my father’s workmanship, attention to detail and his straightforwardness in business,” he said. “I learned a lot just by watching him work and interact with his customers, whom he often considered friends more than clients. Dad liked to step back from a project and see how the work he did, the solution he created, helped people live their lives better.”
Following tradition, Frank also entered the industry and currently operates Smith Bros. Plumbing and Heating in southern Maine.
After graduating from Houlton High School, David spent close to 20 years in the Portland area. During this time he earned his master plumber license as well as various other heating and air conditioning certifications, and gained valuable experience in both commercial and residential plumbing.
Even when living in southern Maine, David said he always felt strong connections to The County, and knew he wanted to eventually move home, open his own shop and have a family. He returned to Houlton in 2013.
“I have always been proud to say I’m from Houlton” David said. “I love the close-knit community feel, where everyone knows and supports one another. I’m excited that my children will grow up in the same surroundings that my parents, their parents, and their parents before them, grew up in.”
David has worked closely under Terry Lincoln for the past several years. As Lincoln’s retirement approached after more than 36 years operating Lincoln Plumbing and Heating, the two plumbers formed a plan for David to assume ownership of the company at its location on Sugarloaf Street, and relaunch it under the Smith Brothers name as a nod to David’s family’s rich industry history.
After witnessing David’s tireless work ethic, attention to detail and personable interactions with customers, Terry Lincoln and his wife Rachel were excited that David and his wife Sarah were planning on buying and operating their beloved plumbing and heating business.
“It is our pleasure to have David and Sarah continue the plumbing and heating business that Rachel and I began almost 37 years ago,” Terry said. “We have total confidence that the Smiths will provide excellent service to their current and future customers. Our hope for David and Sarah is for great success in their new business venture.”
“I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Terry these past several years” David added. “His customers always came first, and I am looking forward to providing Houlton with the same high level of knowledgeable plumbing and heating services that Terry always provided.”
David’s goal is to grow Smith Brothers of Houlton into a community-focused business that offers reliable and professional plumbing and heating services, including emergency assistance, with an emphasis on clear communication and friendly, personalized customer service.
“The best compliment I can hope to receive from a customer is a word-of-mouth recommendation” David said. “That’s when I know I’ve succeeded in meeting their expectations.”
