Bio of SMEBY, Martin E. (b.1873), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical

Vol III, pg 668-671
MARTIN E. SMEBY
Martin E. Smeby, president of the Smeby Schools for instruction in window
dressing and show card advertising, was born in Trondhjem, Norway, on the 25th
of July, 1873, a son of Martin and Elisa (Grennager) Smeby, likewise natives of
that country. The father came to the United States in 1880 and two years later
sent for his family. They located in Minneapolis and for several years the
father was connected with the city police and the sewer department. Subsequently
he was engaged in the mercantile business and likewise conducted a shipping
office for steamers, both passenger and freight, achieving substantial success.
He passed away in 1916, ten years after the death of Mrs. Smeby, which occurred
in 1906. To their union four sons and six daughters were born, Martin E., whose
name introduces this review, being the eighth in order of birth.
Martin E. Smeby received his early education in the public schools of his native
country and also in the schools of Minneapolis. After putting his textbooks
aside he made his initial step into the business world as cash boy for Ingram &
Olson, which business is now conducted under the name of the Powers Stores.
Later he accepted a position with the Aultman Clothing Company and subsequently
became connected with M. Rothschild Company, working in various capacities in
their Minneapolis, Chicago and St. Paul stores. Upon the outbreak of the
Spanish-American war Mr. Smeby enlisted in the Thirteenth Minnesota Regiment and
served in the Philippine Islands. He was in active service for seventeen months,
and when that regiment returned to the United States he resumed his connection
with the M. Rothschild Company, after receiving his honorable discharge,
remain­ing with them until 1908. In that year he organized the Smeby Schools for
in­struction in window dressing and show card advertising. He is president of
the enterprise and his brother, L. Smeby, has charge of the educational
department. He has achieved well-merited success in the conduct of the schools
and he occupies a position of prominence among the business men of Minneapolis.
On the 20th of December, 1913, in St. Paul, was celebrated the marriage of Mr.
Smeby and Miss Florence G. Sheppard, a daughter of David Sheppard. The Sheppards
are an old and honored family of St. Paul. Mrs. Smeby is a woman of much culture
and refinement and she is prominent in club and social circles.
Mr. Smeby votes with the democratic party and is actively interested in party
affairs, although he has never sought nor desired political preferment. His
religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. Smeby was a member of the
Minnesota National Guard previous to his service in the Spanish-American war and
he is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. For recreation from his many
business duties he turns to outdoor sports and spends the greater part of his
vacations in hunting and fishing, in which sports he is proficient.