SMITH, Frederick Madison
SMITH
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/10/2015 at 05:48:34
The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge.
Vol. 25. p. 117. Encyclopedia Americana Corp. 1920.F. M. [Frederick Madison] Smith
SMITH, Frederick M., son of Joseph Smith and grandson of the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, sometimes erroneously called Mormons, was born at Piano, Ill., Jan. 21, 1874 and in 1881 moved with his parents to Lamoni, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Lamoni High School. He was the first graduate of Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa, and has taken advance work at the University of Iowa, Iowa City; the University of Kansas at Lawrence, Kan.; finishing at the Clark University at Worcester, Mass. He became affiliated with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in his boyhood and has occupied some important offices in this organization. For a short time he filled the office of general historian of the Church by appointment and was by ordination elder, counsellor (sic) to the local bishop of Lamoni, Iowa, president of a quorum of elders and counsellor to his father, president of the church. His activities have been divided between his school and church work, but now are to be devoted more exclusively to church service. In addition to the above offices he has been a member and for a time president of the board of trustees of Graceland College. Upon the death of his father in December 1914 he, with his cousin, Elbert A. Smith, of Lamoni, were chosen by the leading authorities of the Church to preside temporarily. At the next General Conference, held in April 1915 he was chosen to permanently occupy as his father's successor in that office and received ordination to that office at Independence, Mo., May 5, 1915. His cousin was installed as his counsellor.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2015
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