William Alden Smith was born in Dowagiac, Michigan, May 12, 1859, one of four known children of parents George Richardson Smith and Leah Margaret Allen Smith. He died October 11, 1932 of a heart attack, which is said to have followed on one of his many impassioned speeches.

William Alden Smith is said to have moved to Grand Rapids in 1872 at age 13, due to his father’s serious illness. While some biographical sources list young William Alden Smith as the head of household by the 8th grade, an obituary in the Grand Rapids Press, January 20, 1913, states that his father died in Santa Ana, California at age 82. It does appear, however, that William Alden worked with his brother, George, to help support the family, selling newspapers as a Grand Rapids Herald newsboy, and as a Western union messenger. He is said to have worked as a hotel porter and did menial work in the old Hit House at St. Joseph. He was employed at the Antisdel Hotel of Grand Rapids and may also have worked at the Pantlind (Hotel Monthly Jan. 1916). George and Leah moved to California 12 to 20 years before his death, depending upon the source.

Appointed as page in the House of Representatives in Lansing at age 17 by Speaker John T. Rich. Studied law in Grand Rapids, in law office of Marsden C. Burch, then U.S. district attorney at Grand Rapids and Robert M. Montgomery, later chief justice of Michigan Supreme Court. Firm later became Burch & Smith. Admitted to the Bar in 1882 or 1885, depending upon source.

1887 appointed general attorney for Detroit, Lansing & Northern RR and the Chicago & West Michigan RR, which merged into the Flint & Pere Marquette.

1892, joined with Michigan J. Smiley and Frederick W. Stevens to form, Smiley, Smith & Stevens. 1898 constructed railroad, later the Pere Marquette. Later purchased Lowell & Hastings R.R.

1894 nominated for Congress, 5th Congressional District of Mich. Expert in railroad law and financing. U.S. House of Rep. For 4 years. U.S. Senator from 1907 to 1919. Titanic sinks Apr. 15, 1912. Chairman, from the Senate Commerce Committee. Hearing held at New York’s Waldorf Astoria. Titanic disaster speech delivered May 28, 1912. The Titanic, a British registered ship, was owned by American financier J.P. Morgan’s Company. Outcomes of the hearing led to changes in ship safety, and is said to have led to the formation of the U.S. Coast Guard. [See Titanic: End of a Dream by Wyn Craig Wade] Considered for the U.S. Presidency in the primaries in Michigan in 1916, opposed by Henry Ford. He is said to have been responsible for getting Abraham Lincoln’s birthday recognized as a national holiday.

Purchased the G.R. Herald in 1906. Edited by Arthur Vandenberg. An active businessman after his retirement from the Senate.

1904, Director of Grand Rapids Savings Bank and President in 1912, chairman of the board, 1923. GR Savings Bank Building his responsibility, opened in 1917.

Various other boards and directorships.

Member of Young Men’s Republican Club, Sons of the American Revolution, officers of Foreign Wars, 33 degree Mason.

Married to Nana Osterhout 10/21/1859-2/15/1936, whose family also moved to G.R. when she was a child. They were married Oct. 21, 1886.

Former residence 456 College Ave., G.R.

William Alden Smith, Jr. his only child, d. 4/29/1920, in Grand Rapids at age 27. He had married Marie McRae, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milton A. McRae of Detroit and San Diego, CA. McRae developed the Scripps-McRae league newspapers, later forming the United Press Association. William Alden Smith, Jr. rose through the ranks at the Herald to become manager at the time of his death. They had 2 children, Marie and William Alden Smith III. Marie McRae Smith later married Major Richmond Temple of London, a diplomat.

William Alden Smith III d. 12/16/1968, San Diego, CA at age 52.