The Irish standard., 1896-06-06
Sir Frank Smith, Distinguished
in Business, Politics and in
Other Ways.
Coming to This Country at an
EarIv Age He Won Distinction
by His Own rlerit.
No rIan i1as Greater Weight in the
Councils of the Nation Than
This Citizen.

This Citizen.
When we search the records Of men Of
the Irish Catholic race who have sig
nalized their careers by worthy achieve
ments in Canada, we find many who
are entitled to foremost places In the hon-
ored ranks of the successful men of the
age. And we are doubly gratifed when
We find among them the rare combina-
tion of strong individuality and ability
which enable many of them to reach
great heights Of distinction both III the
capacity of businessmen and statesmen,
writes William Ellison, of the Union and
Times.
The subject of this brief sketch, Hon.
Frank Smith, may serve as conspicu-
GUS case in point. Under his fathers
care he came out to Canada from his ma
tive county Armagh, Ireland, when lac
Of 10 years old. From that fact 1t will
be seen that he had to conquer his way
amid the tolls and struggles Of his adopt
ed country. Coming at such a tender age
he brought nothing with him save the
rich Celtic blood Of his race and the last
ing inspiration which belongs to birth
on the sacred soil Of Ireland To these
of course were added the imperishable
lessons taught Dy honest and virtuous
parents, supplemented by a. thorough
business instruction and coed practi-
cal scholastic training in Canada
With this equipment young Mr.. Smith
set out to face the conflicts and trials Of
the world, Of which no doubt he met his
share in the start, but the strong, url-
bending will that conquered formidable
obstacles later in life, began to manifest
itself in his early career, and before such
unfiinching determination, backed by
good purpose, difficulties faded away as
Go misty vapors before the MONDAY sun.
Even in the first minor positions which
Mr.. Smith filled there was noticsable that
punctuaiity and eXac actness in the due dis
charge Of duty which is marked feature
III ali his actions even down to the pres
ent day, On his advent to Canada, with
hie father, in 1882, he settled near ToroIl-
to. Subsequently we find him making
his first venture in business as a whole
sale grocer and provision merchant III
London Ont, where he did business
profitably from 1S49 to 1867. Then he
abandoned the smaller field Of operations
and established himself securely in the
growing city of Toronto, where he con-
tinued his usual line OF commerce, but
on q far larger scale. In fact, the trans
actions of his firm in the Queen City
grew to immense proportions before
he retired in 1880 On coming to Toronto
he met with strong competition from the
old established concerns who had large
capital invested in the same kind Of
trade, but this did not daunt the indomi-
table Mr. Smith, who feared no foe. AS
long as he was given a fair field he asked
no favors, but depended upon his own
shrawdness, pluck and the closest ad-
herence to the strict rules of honesty and
moral rectitude.
To put his business on solid founda-
tion he did not hesitate to sacrifice thou
sands Of dollars on a certain occasion to
prove the futility of opposing him by
unfair means.
The expenditure which would have
frightened or ruined some men, was re-
garded By him as a prudent outlay, just
az a wise builder spends much on Dig
ging the foundation before he begins the
work Of construction. The uniform
success which marked all Of Mr.. Smiths
commercial enterprises is called by some
loose thinkers as strokes of real business
ability. perseverance, and right appltoa-
ton of the safe mercantile laws which
never fail Of deserved success.
While a resident of the city Of London
MI Smith deeply concerned himself
with its progress and prosperity. He was
an alderman for several years, and was
mayor Of London in 1866. On the re-
moval OF himself and his commercial In
terests to the wider sphere his marvel
Gus energy increased as his growing
business expanded, and his worth in the
great commercial center was soon recog
nized, and new enterprises that needed
the fostering hand or strength and sound
Judgment sought his aid. Consequently
ne became, jn due course of time, presi-
dent of the Northern Railroad company,
OF tho Home Loan company limited
and of the Toronto Street Railway com
pally OF this latter large concern Hon.
Mr.. Smith was for a long stretch Of years
the head and directing genius, and OF
it, as Of all others of his projects, he
made a complete success and on the ex-
piration of its 80 years charter he retired
from 1t, and it passed into other hands.
He is vice president of the Dominion bank
and q director of the Dominion I'ele-
graph company, Of the Consumers Gas
company, Toronto, and of. the. Northern
and Pacific junction railway company;
also a director on the Canadian board cf
the Grand Trunk railway company, was
president, during its existence, Of the
Northern Extension railway company.
The filling OF such a multiplicity Of Of !
fees in addition to his senatorial and
state duties would overtax the powers Of
an ordinarily man, but 70 the cOrnpre-G
n
Hon. Senator. even the we.ghtiest qnes-
tions seemed easy Of solution Hon.
Frank Smith was called to the Canadian
senate on the I'd OF February, 1871. aadIo
the prtyy council, 29th of y uly. 1882
the senate and In the councils Of the nsa;-.
ton she has made his great Inf nence felt.
& II could not be otherwise, for he 1s Nh
man uf the ripest experience and 3udg-s;
ment, with broad Statesman like views
and he holds to what he conceiyes tos sloee Ri Sh
right with a f1rmness ttidt notflillg eallss