Bio of SMITH, Alexander Arthur (b.1866), 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 731-732
ALEXANDER ARTHUR SMITH
Alexander Arthur Smith, ticket auditor with the Soo Line in Minneapolis, was
born in Montreal, Canada, February 10, 1866, and is a son of Alexander A. and
Mary (McCleary) Smith, the former a native of Glasgow, Scotland, while the
latter was born in Montreal, Canada. Coming to the new world, the father was for
a number of years engaged in the biscuit business in Montreal and his death
occurred in the year 1884.
Alexander A. Smith began his education in the public schools of his native city,
passing through consecutive grades as the years went by, and later pursuing a
course in the Montreal Business College. In 1884 he entered the employ of the
Grand Trunk Railroad Company in the Montreal ticket accounting department as
office boy, and from that humble position worked his way steadily upward through
the various departments until he became a full-fledged clerk, continuing there
until 1888, when he secured the position of auditor of passenger receipts for
the Canadian Pacific Railroad in Montreal. He filled that position acceptably
until May, 1899, when he accepted a more
advantageous opening in Minneapolis with the Soo Line, becoming a ticket
accountant clerk. Here he has worked through the various positions until in
November, 1908, when he was appointed ticket auditor for the company, and has
since continued to serve in that capacity. This department was very small at the
time, with but four clerks, and something of the steady growth of the business
is indicated in the fact that there are today forty-five clerks under his
direction and over four thousand miles of railroad. Mr. Smith has full charge of
this department for the entire system and has advanced with the steady growth of
the business, being accounted one of the most valued and representative employes
of the corporation today.
On the 22d of February, 1899, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary Tebo of
Montreal, Canada, and they have become parents of three daughters: Muriel O.,
Florence and Beulah H. Mr. Smith belongs to the Masonic fraternity and is also a
member of the Civic & Commerce Association, which indicates his deep interest in
the welfare of Minneapolis and its steady growth along commercial and civic
lines. He finds his recreation largely in fishing and has the record of being
the most expert fisherman on Lake Calhoun. He has always enjoyed manly outdoor
sports, particularly as a follower of Izaak Walton, and through these periods of
life in the open he maintains that physical fitness which makes him a well
balanced man, as his business activities at all times demand a notable mental
alertness.