Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1923-01-16
DEAN SMITH
SUCCUMBS To
PNEUMONIA

Kollock and Blake had been in con-
slant attendance at the bedside and
were with Dean Smith when he died.
Announcement Of the death OF
Dean Smith cast gloom over the
town Of Newark. as wen as among
the University OF Delaware students
and alumni He was born in Cecil
county Md, but few miles from
| here and had been associated with
/ the University OF Delaware for
! twenty years.
The funeral arrangements have
not been completed, but the SER
vices will be held at the late home
( OF Dean Smith on Friday afternoon
at 2 o'clock. The services will be
open to the public. Interment will
be in Head of Chrlstiana cemetery.
Dean Smith was popular with the
student body he being known as the
friend OF every student. He was like
"a big brother to the undergraduates.
He had been acting President Of the
/ University while DR.. Walter Hull
hen, the president, was a patient at
the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Balti-
more. The extra work performed at
that time combined with the duties
of his own position are thought to-
have weakened him somewhat and
made him susceptible to the pneu-
monia germs.
Dean Smith is survived by his
wife and one child Edward Laurence
Jr.. aged years, and his father
Hosea, a retired farmer OF Cecil
county.
Dean Smith was born on a farm
in Cecil county, Md, only a few
miles from Newark In 1877. His
father, Hosea Smith, lives on a farm
In the same county now, but his
mother died about eight years ago.
lie attended the country school
In Maryland near his home and was
prepared for his entrance to Della /
ware College. now the University of
Delaware, by the teacher of that
school. He entered Delaware Col
lege in 1892. taking the Arts and
Science course, and was graduated
In 1896 ana pursued post graduate
studies. In 1899 he secured a
scholarship at Columbia University,
New York, where he spent a year In
graduate work In the Romance Ian
suages and the following year he
went to France where he continued
his education In languages at the
Of Paris for a year.
on returning to this country Dean
Smith was appointed an Instructor
at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute in
1901 where he taught "a year and
then came to Delaware in 1908 as .
Instructor I'm modern languages, DR..
George A. IIarter being president OF
The college at that time. He became ?
dean In 1915.
About this time Dean Smith was
TO Miss Deborah Johnston, i
laughter of Mr.. and Mrs John John
son. who lived near Newark. The
couple took a wedding trip to France
and on their return made their home +
On Delaware avenue. Newark. and
had lived on that street. although
not In the same house ever since
Dean and Mrs Smith had three chill !
lren. one of whom Edward Lau-
'ence smith. Jr., aged about four J
ears Is still living Their first child. 7
/ daughter. died when a baby, The {
leath by accident of the second J
laughter. Helen Smith. when Ave I
ears Of age, was a great blow to 5
10Th Dean and Mrs smith. She was IS
,illed by an automobile while play
ng in front OF their home about six
ears ago. {
Although comparatively young .
nan, Dean smith had served his '
Alma Mater as instructor, professor
nd dean for twenty years. He had
host Of friends throughout the
itate and on two occasions was 1
mentioned for president {
Il the University when DR.. IIartsr {
etired as president eight years ago 3
nd when DR. Samuel c. Mitchell re- 4
igned three years ago. I
Dean Smiths rise u position
,econd To the president Of the Uni {
-ersity was the result Of his efficient g
work and great interest in the ad-
of the institution. lie
anne to Delaware College as in
itruct0r. A few years later he was
promoted to a professOrship, then Z
lead Of the modern language de-
,artment then dean Of the univer-
ity and on many occasions in the {
absence Of President lIulhhen he {
vas acting president Of tho univer-
Iity.
For the past two months until DR..
.mllihen's recent return, Dean
smith had been acting president,
,wing to the illness. Of Dr, HULL
len, following an operation. lie
lad been secretary Of the faculty
or many years. DR. Harter and
Professor Elisha COnOver professor
n Greek and Latin, are the only
wo members who had served q
onger continuously on the faculty
han Dean Smith lie had seen the
institution grow from college of a +
otal enrolment of only about 100 to +
/ University with an enrolment of =,
800 students in Delaware College :
md the Women's College. +
Dean smith because OF his posi- n
ion was better known among the :
he faculty. lie was an interesting i
fter-dinner speaker and was !n de A
nand as a speaker both at alumni :
fairs and various educational meet /,
ngs.
When a student Dean Smith took q
keen interest in all college sports =,
nd was good tennis player. His !
interest in athletic affairs continued !,
throughout his career at Delaware.
When the present athletic council /,
'hich has supervision over all ath- .
stic activities at the University was =
rganized about ten years ago he was :,