Clarence "Barber" Cobb was born in Alabama and remained there until 1919. At age 18, he moved to Smithfield because, in his own words, he was "a rambling man." He purchased a barber shop that had been at this location since the late 1800s, changed its name to Cobbs Barber Shop, and became known as "Barber" Cobb. In the early days, a shave and haircut cost 25 cents. Cobb owned and operated his shop in Smithfield for 65 years. Marvin D. Smith, born in 1947 and raised on a farm nearby, received his first haircut at Cobbs Barber Shop and later dedicated his time and efforts to preserving historical landmarks in Smithfield, restoring the shop in 1986.