Читать книгу Memoirs of Milwaukee County, Volume 4 - Josiah Seymour Currey - Страница 39

From humble apprentice Leo G. Smith has worked his way steadily upward until as president of the Modern Steel Casting Company of Milwaukee he is classed with the captains of industry of the city. Thoroughness, enterprise and enthusiasm concerning his work have been dominant factors in his career. He possesses initiative as well as executive ability and the broad experience which he had acquired before entering upon his duties as chief officer of the Modern Steel Casting Company well qualified him for the responsibility which he assumed. He is today numbered with those men who are strong contributing factors to the commercial and industrial development of the city.

Mr. Smith comes to Milwaukee from Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred on the 22nd of February, 1878, in Oil City. His father, Nicholas Smith, a native of Belgium, was brought to the United States when but nine years of age by his parents, who settled in the Empire state and afterward removed to Pennsylvania. Nicholas Smith was a carpenter and builder, which trade he followed until his death. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Haney, was born in Buffalo, New York. His death occurred in 1909, while his widow survived only until 1910.

Leo G. Smith was educated in the public schools of Oil City to the age of twelve years, at which time the family removed to Buffalo, New York, where he attended the Christian Brothers school. He started out in the business world as an office employee of the International Steam Pump Company and served in various capacities for seven years, working his way steadily upward until he became assistant cashier and assistant purchasing agent. He afterward went to Columbus, Ohio, where he entered the employ of the Buckeye Steel Casting Company and there learned the trade of molding, serving a four years' apprenticeship. He next became assistant foreman of the American Steel Foundries at Sharon, Pennsylvania, occupying that position for two years, or until the fall of 1909, when he was made superintendent of the Bucyrus Steel Casting Company of Bucyrus, Ohio. Each change in his business connections brought him broader opportunities and wider experience and thus the steps in his orderly progression led him eventually to Milwaukee, but before coming to this city he was associated with the Canada Iron Corporation at Londonderry, Nova Scotia, as manager, occupying that position until 1912. In February of the latter year he came to Milwaukee and was manager of the Prime Steel Company until May, 1915, when he resigned his position. During the war period he conducted a brokerage business in steel castings and in February, 1919, he became connected with the Modern Steel Casting Company as general manager. In January, 1921, he was elected to the presidency and is now concentrating upon constructive efforts, administrative direction and executive control. This company manufactures steel castings, which it markets throughout the entire United States, the business being one of substantial proportions. Mr. Smith is likewise the president of the Milwaukee Advertising & Novelty Company and vice president of the Biggam Trailer Company of this city.

On the 19th of February, 1901, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Mrs. Isabella Williams, a daughter of Thomas Slater of Buffalo, New York, who is a native of Liverpool, England. Mrs. Smith has three children by her first husband, Frank Williams, who died in 1899. These are: Carlisle F. Williams, who is now in Seattle, Washington; James T. Williams, who is engaged in the automobile business in Milwaukee; and Norma F., now the wife of Clarence Brunner, who is with the Milwaukee Advertising & Novelty Company and who is a native of Milwaukee, his father being August Brunner.

Mr. Smith has never taken an active part in politics and may be classed as an independent republican. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church, his membership being in St. James parish of Mukwonago. He is a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and he belongs to the Milwaukee lodge of Elks. He also has membership in the Milwaukee Athletic Club, the Association of Commerce, the Safe Drivers' Club and the American Foundrymen's Association. He is an enthusiastic farmer, agricultural interests being his hobby. He owns sixty-five acres of land in Mukwonago township on Phantom Lake in Waukesha county, where he makes his home throughout the entire year, finding great pleasure in supervising the further development and improvement of his land. He is also very fond of music and all of those things which are of cultural value in life. At the same time he has been a deep and thorough student of everything relating to steel and its manufacture and the thoroughness which he has manifested in every relation of life has been one of the strong and potent forces of his success. Moreover, he attacks everything with a contagious enthusiasm that affects his coworkers and he never stops short of his objective.