Denver, History of Colorado, BIOS: SMEDLEY, William (published 1918) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00015.html#0003643 September 15, 1999 *********************************************************************** "History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. (1918) Vol. II p. 176, 178 photo p. 177 WILLIAM SMEDLEY, D. D. S. For more than half a century Dr. William Smedley has engaged in the practice of dentistry and with the passing years has kept in touch with the trend of modern progress which has characterized the profession. He dates his residence in Colorado from 1870, and Denver has numbered him among its honored residents throughout this period. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, May 4, 1836. His parents were Abiah T. and Agnes Few Smedley, of Quaker lineage. His mother passed away in 1899, at the notable age of ninety-three years, and the father's death occurred when he was but thirty-nine years of age, death resulting from a "neglected cold." In early life he attended school, public and private, in his native state and afterward became a student in the Foxboro English and Classical School of Massachusetts. He then taught school in the east for a few years. From his childhood his health had been poor, and so, with the primary purpose of regaining his health, but moved also by the pioneering spirit, he crossed the plains in 1862, going from Omaha to Oregon in a prairie schooner drawn by an ox team. After one year in the far west he returned to Pennsylvania and took up the study of dentistry, graduating from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery in 1866. He began practice in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1870, when he again sought the healthful climate and opportunities of the new and growing west. He arrived in Denver on the 25th of September, 1870, where he has since continuously practiced his profession. His course has been characterized by notable progress. On the 4th of July, 1872, in Chester county, Pennsylvania, Dr. Smedley was married to Miss Mary Ellen Vickers, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paxson Vickers. Her father was a prominent business man, somewhat active in politics, and at one time a member of the Pennsylvania legislature. Dr. and Mrs. Smedley have five children, all born in Denver. The eldest, Annie V., Is the wife of D. F. Garrison, the cashier of the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. William Paxson is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Dental Surgery, and an ex-president of the Denver Dental Association, and also of the State Dental Association. Chester Earl was graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, and later graduated from the law school of the Denver University, since which time he has become a well known attorney of Denver. He was a member of the state legislature during the session of 1913. Victor Clyde is a graduate of the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, and has also served as president of the Denver Dental Association. Agnes M., graduated from Colorado College, is the wife of Dr. Max Giesecke, who is a graduate of the dental department of Denver University. Dr. Smedley's sons, William P. and Victor Clyde, and his son-in-law, Dr. Max Giesecke, are engaged in the practice of dentistry with him under the name of William Smedley & Sons. Deeply interested in his profession, he has read broadly and thought deeply and has kept in touch with the latest scientific researches and discoveries. He has always stood for the highest ethical principles and greatest scientific advancement of the profession and to that end has aided in the organization and work of dental associations, recognizing the fact that such associations are preeminently adapted to stimulate and educate their members and to raise the standard of the profession. He is a valued member of the Denver Dental Association, of which he was the first president. He was the first president of the Colorado State Dental Association and is now (1918) and has been since 1890 its treasurer. He is also a member of the National Dental Association. He is today the dean of the profession in Colorado. In politics, though a lifelong republican, he does not hesitate to support the best men irrespective of party. He was for seventeen years the president of the board of directors of North Side School District, No. 17, before the consolidation, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion and one who has done much for the furtherance of its Interests. Fraternally he is connected with Union Lodge, No. 7, A. P. & A. M.; Denver Chapter, No. 2, R. A. M.; Colorado Commandery, No. 1, K. T.; and El Jebel Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has been an active member of the Colorado Humane Society for over twenty-five years, in the work of which he has felt a deep interest. He was one of the early members of the Denver Chamber of Commerce, now the Denver Civic and Commercial Association, and in January, 1911, was made an honorary member. He is a member of the Denver Philosophical Society and a life member of the State Forestry Association. He is a member of the Colorado Mountain Club and has climbed most of Colorado's highest peaks. Such a career illustrates the fact that old age need not suggest idleness nor want of occupation. In spirit and interests Dr. Smedley seems yet in his prime. There is an old age which grows stronger mentally and morally with the years and which continues to give for the benefit of others out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience. Such is the record of Dr. Smedley. "Though the snows of winter are on his head, The flowers of spring are in his heart."