Smith - Alaric M.
Source: History of Montgomery County, Indiana (Indianapolis: AW Bowen,
1913) p 1221
There are several business concerns in the city of
Crawfordsville that are not only thoroughly typical of the
comprehensive growth and increasing importance of the place, but
also distinctly a source of public pride, delineating as they do
the general business enterprise and commercial sagacity of some
of our leading citizens. Such a concern is the Journal Printing
Company, owned and successfully managed by Alaric M. SMITH, one
of the most thorough going, and enterprising men in Montgomery
County. Mr. Smith was born Nove 9, 1859 in Fayette Co, Indiana.
He is a son of Mirick S. and Lucinda HANKINS Smith. The father
was born Jan 20, 1837 near Cincinnati, Ohio and his death
occurred August 11, 1906. The mother was born March 2, 1839 near
Cincinnati, Ohio and is still living. These paretns grew to
maturity, were educated and married in their native community.
Mirick was a painter by trade. He came to Fayette Co, Indiana
soon after his marriage and from there to Crawfordsville May 4,
1869 and here spent the rest of his life. He was a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellow & Knights of Pythias, taking
an active part in fraternal affairs. He was the first marshal
that was ever elected outside of the whisky ring in
Crawfordsville. Politically, he was a loyal Republican and
religiously belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. His
family consisted of two children, our subject alone surviving.
Alaric M. Smith received a common school education. On Dec 27,
1882, he married Praririe Smith, who was born in West Virginia,
Feb 7, 1859. SHe received a common school education. To our
subject and wife three children have been born, namely, Mrs. RP
(Vera) YOUNGMAN; they live in Crawfordsville; Ethel A, and
Charles V. Mr. Smith started out in life as a printer in
Crawfordsville, serving an apprentice. Taking charge of THe
Crawfordsville Journal printing department in 1880, he continued
the management of the same until Oct 1901, the business growing
rapidly in the meantime. Mr. Smith at that time purchased the job
department of the JOuranl Company, which he has continued to
operate to the present time with gratifying results, increasing
the plant in all lines until it is today one of the best equipped
and modern in western Indiana. An addition of 5500 feet floor
space was added recently. This increased floor space gives plenty
of room for the up-to-date presses and typesetting machines. All
the machinery is operated by electricity with individual motors
on each machine. Prompt and high grade work is the watchword
here, and large jobs are constantly turned out, work coming,
frequently, from remote parts of the country. This great increase
has been due tot he able management of Mr. Smith. He is also
secretary and treasuer of the Indiana Match Corporation whose
plant is located inC rawfordsville and he has done much toward
increasing its prestige and making it a pronounced success. Mr.
Smith has long been active inp ublic affairs and has the interst
of his city and county at heart. He is a member of the Commercial
Club and was preisdent of the same for a period of two years.
Politically, he is a Republican and fraternally belongs to the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias and he is
one of the orignal members of the Tribe of Ben Hur. -- kbz
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Source: Waveland Independent newspaper. Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana, Thursday, March 18, 1943
The passing of Mr. Alaric M. SMITH president of the Journal
Review Publishing Company which he was largely responsible for
establishing at great loss Indiana journalism. Mr. Smith was not
only a pioneer in his fiend, but he was a promoter of every
worthwhile enterprise that his city and county has been able to
establish in 3 decades. Mr. Smith was as able as he was
determined. He was fortunate to live during a time of great
national expansion and was always alert to the needs and
possibilities of improving the condition of his community. He was
well known throughout the state and was not without honor in his
own county and community where the weight of his personality was
felt most. He was a Christian gentleman and builde well (sic).
Others will continue upon his foundations and many will be the
monuments erected for the memory of Alaric Smith. -- kbz