Carmi R. Smith

As printed in 1906

CARMI REDDICK SMITH is closely associated with the business enterprises and activity of Niles which have lead to its substantial upbuilding. A native son of Michigan, he was born in Girard, Branch county, on the 19th of May, 1862. His father, Mahlon A. Smith, was born in New York and became an early settler of Branch county. His mother was a daughter of John B. Reddick, who came to Michigan in 1832. Mahlon A. Smith, following his removal to Branch county, became owner of three hundred acres of land and there carried on general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death. He cleared most of his land, placing it under a high state of cultivation. In his early life he had followed merchandising, but after purchasing the farm gave his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in 1892, at the age of sixty-two years. His widow still survives and makes her home in Coldwater, Branch county, Michigan. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom five are living, namely: Carmi R.; Mark H., a resident of Coldwater; Mabel L., the wife of Rev. John Biery, a Methodist minister; Katherine L., the wife of Rev. R. J. McLandress, a clergyman of the Presbyterian church of Oconto,, Wisconsin; and Benjamin H., who lives in Niles, where he is foreman of the W. A. Reddick Wire and Shovel Factory.

Carmi R. Smith was graduated from the high school of Coldwater, in the class of 1882. He afterward attended Albion College, from which he was graduated in 1886 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Subsequently he went to Fort Wayne, where he studied law for a short time and then came to Niles, here accepting the position of bookkeeper with John L. Reddick, who was at that time engaged in the wood, coal and lumber business. Mr. Smith remained with Mr. Reddick for two years, after which he entered the employ of the Ohio Paper Company as purchasing agent of straw, pulp, etc., thus representing the house for two years. In 1 89 1 he purchased of J. L. Reddick the contract for supplying straw and pulp to the different mills. The contract involved an immense amount of business in securing these materials and Mr. Smith continued in that line of activity until 1903, when he sold his contracts. In 1889 he had purchased the J. L. Reddick lumber business and has since continued as a dealer in that commodity, also owning and operating a planing mill. In addition to dealing in all kinds of lumber he carries a full line of sash, doors, glass, mouldings, porch stock and paint. In fact he deals in all kinds of building materials. He is now conducting a large and prosperous business, his sales reaching an extensive figure annually. In the meantime he had purchased a large tract of timber land in northern Michigan, which he cleared in 1902, having received many thousand feet of lumber therefrom. In this way he has added to the value of property in that locality, placing the land in a condition better fitted for cultivation.

Mr. Smith has made his home in Niles since 1886 and has always been very active in public affairs of the city. At the present time he is identified as a director with three building and loan associations in Niles and is president of one of them. He is also president of the Niles Creamery Company and is president of the Business Men's Association of the city. He is a student of the signs of the times, readily recognizing opportunities and bonds every energy to improve these, advancing general prosperity as well as individual success.

Mr. Smith is a recognized factor in political circles, wielding a wide influence. In he was very active in support of the party and its principles during the McKinley administration. In 1897-98 he became a member of the state legislature, filling out the unexpired term of E. S. Williams who resigned to accept the appointment of postmaster of Niles. In 1903 Mr. Smith was elected mayor of Niles and in October of that year he resigned to accept the unexpired term of postmaster caused by the death of E. S. Williams, whom he had succeeded in the state legislature. Three days after Mr. Williams' death Mr. Smith was appointed to succeed him. He is a stalwart Republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party. He keeps well informed on questions and issues of the day and stands as an advocate of a high type of political honor and reliability.

In October, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Mary E. Stafford, of Port Hope, Michigan. She is the daughter of W. R. Stafford, who was a large manufacturer of lumber in northern Michigan, and now owner of extensive lands in Huron county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two sons, W. R. Stafford Smith and Carmi Reginald Smith, both born in Niles. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Smith belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, while in the Masonic order he has taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter, council and commandery at Niles, and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine at Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is quick of apprehension and comprehends readily intricate business and political problems. He has done much toward promoting the general welfare, and his career, both public and private, has been marked by the strictest integrity and faithfulness to every trust reposed in him. He is known as an honorable man, a pleasant, social companion, and a devoted husband and father.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.