The New York Times, 12 October 1932
EX-SENATOR SMITH IS DEAD IN MICHIGAN
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Member of U. S. Body From 1906 to 1918 Began Public Life as Page in Legislature
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SERVED 6 TERMS IN HOUSE
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Rose From Poverty In Youth to Be Lawyer, Banker, Publisher and Owner of Transit Firm
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Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES
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GRAND RAPIDS Mich., Oct. 11--- Former Senator William Alden Smith died at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon after a heart attack, the second since Friday night when he was stricken at the close of a Republican mass meeting here at which he was a speaker. He had been confined to his room since, but only his intimate associates knew of his condition.
Mr. Smith was born in Dowagiac, Mich., 73 years ago, and was brought to Grand Rapids by his parents when he was 13 years old. He began at once to sell popcorn in the streets as a means to increasing the family income. At the time of his death he was chairman of the Grand Rapids State Bank, principal owner of the Goodrich Transit Company, controlling a boat line from Chicago to Western Michigan cities, and one of the principal stockholders of The Grand Rapids Herald and president of The Herald Publishing Company.
Senator Smith's public career began at the age of 17 when he became a page in the Michigan Legislature. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1882, later forming the firm of Smiley, Stevens & Smith.
He was elected to Congress from the Fifth Michigan District in 1894 and served six terms. He was re-elected for the seventh term but did not take his seat, as he entered the race for the United States Senate to succeed Senator Russell A. Alger who had retired. While in the House he was on the committee which instituted territorial rights for Alaska and he was instrumental in shaping the tariff policy for Cuba. He was in the Senate from 1906 to 1918, when he retired and, with his only son, William Alden Smith Jr., prepared to give his time to business.
In 1906 Senator Smith bought The Herald from the Booth interests and continued as its manager until 1918. He retired in that year and his son became manager. The younger Mr. Smith, however, lived only a short time thereafter and was succeeded by Arthur H. Vandenberg, now junior Senator from Michigan. Senator Vandenberg relinquished the management upon his election to the Senate.
Senator Smith's business interests were varied. At twenty he built spur railroads in Northern Michigan; he was counsel for the Pere Marquette Railroad for a time, was interested in real estate and was a director in trust companies.
In October, 1886, he married Nana Osterhout of Grand Rapids, who survives him with two grandchildren, now living in England with their mother. Mrs. William Alden Smith Jr., was a daughter of the late Milton McRae, prominent publisher.
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Senator Smith was chairman of the sub-committee of the United States Senate that investigated the sinking of the White Star liner Titanic. His conduct of the hearings was adversely criticized in English newspapers.
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EX-SENATOR SMITH IS DEAD IN MICHIGAN
---
Member of U. S. Body From 1906 to 1918 Began Public Life as Page in Legislature
---
SERVED 6 TERMS IN HOUSE
---
Rose From Poverty In Youth to Be Lawyer, Banker, Publisher and Owner of Transit Firm
---
Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES
---
GRAND RAPIDS Mich., Oct. 11--- Former Senator William Alden Smith died at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon after a heart attack, the second since Friday night when he was stricken at the close of a Republican mass meeting here at which he was a speaker. He had been confined to his room since, but only his intimate associates knew of his condition.
Mr. Smith was born in Dowagiac, Mich., 73 years ago, and was brought to Grand Rapids by his parents when he was 13 years old. He began at once to sell popcorn in the streets as a means to increasing the family income. At the time of his death he was chairman of the Grand Rapids State Bank, principal owner of the Goodrich Transit Company, controlling a boat line from Chicago to Western Michigan cities, and one of the principal stockholders of The Grand Rapids Herald and president of The Herald Publishing Company.
Senator Smith's public career began at the age of 17 when he became a page in the Michigan Legislature. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1882, later forming the firm of Smiley, Stevens & Smith.
He was elected to Congress from the Fifth Michigan District in 1894 and served six terms. He was re-elected for the seventh term but did not take his seat, as he entered the race for the United States Senate to succeed Senator Russell A. Alger who had retired. While in the House he was on the committee which instituted territorial rights for Alaska and he was instrumental in shaping the tariff policy for Cuba. He was in the Senate from 1906 to 1918, when he retired and, with his only son, William Alden Smith Jr., prepared to give his time to business.
In 1906 Senator Smith bought The Herald from the Booth interests and continued as its manager until 1918. He retired in that year and his son became manager. The younger Mr. Smith, however, lived only a short time thereafter and was succeeded by Arthur H. Vandenberg, now junior Senator from Michigan. Senator Vandenberg relinquished the management upon his election to the Senate.
Senator Smith's business interests were varied. At twenty he built spur railroads in Northern Michigan; he was counsel for the Pere Marquette Railroad for a time, was interested in real estate and was a director in trust companies.
In October, 1886, he married Nana Osterhout of Grand Rapids, who survives him with two grandchildren, now living in England with their mother. Mrs. William Alden Smith Jr., was a daughter of the late Milton McRae, prominent publisher.
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Senator Smith was chairman of the sub-committee of the United States Senate that investigated the sinking of the White Star liner Titanic. His conduct of the hearings was adversely criticized in English newspapers.
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