Granite City High School
Class of 1933

A descendent of President John Tyler, Senator Ralph Tyler Smith was born October 6, 1915 in Granite City, Illinois. He attended local schools and graduated from Granite City Community High School with honors in 1933. He attended Illinois College in Jacksonville and received an A.B. Degree. Ralph Smith then attended Washington University Law School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated with a J.D. Degree in 1940. He gained admittance to the bar in Illinois and Missouri.

In 1940, Smith set up a private law practice in the office of Judge Wesley Lueders in Granite City. The following year, he became Assistant to the General Attorney of the Chicago and Illinois Midland Railway Company in Springfield, Illinois, and served in that post until he was called to active duty in July 1942 with his U.S. Naval Reserve Unit.

After basic training, Ralph Smith served as an officer aboard a convoy escort vessel. In 1945, he was appointed Executive Officer of his ship and later took command of a ship at Guam. His orders directed him to Okinawa and finally to the Japanese home islands. He was released to inactive duty in January, 1946, as a lieutenant (Senior Grade). After the war, Smith returned to the C & IM Railroad as Assistant General Attorney. In May, 1946, he moved with his wife to Alton to engage in a general law practice. His many civic activities brought him in contact with other community leaders and before long, Smith was being asked to run for public office. Smith was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1954. He became Majority Whip in 1963 and was elected House Speaker in 1967 and again in 1969.

Some of the most important legislation in modern Illinois history was enacted under the guidance of House Speaker Smith—bills providing for police protection in unincorporated areas, stricter penalties for persons who commit crimes with dangerous weapons, and persons who pollute our air and water. He was also instrumental in passing a bill to improve our highways, a bill creating a State Budget Bureau, and a bill authorizing the State to hold a Constitutional Convention. House Speaker Smith also played a major role in modernizing the State’s legislative machinery to provide greater economies for the State’s many operations. His firm leadership was considered impartial by both Republicans and Democrats alike.

Ralph Smith was appointed by Governor Richard B. Ogilvie to fill the vacancy left by the death of Senator Everett Dirksen. Smith was sworn in as a United States Senator on September 18, 1969. Smith lost his re-election to the Senate in 1970 and returned to his general law practice in Alton. During that first year in Congress, Smith introduced and supported legislation in the fields of pollution, crime control, drug control, voting rights, and agriculture. He served on the following Senate Committees: Labor and Public Welfare, Aeronautics and Space Science, and a Special Committee for the Aging.

Smith married the former Mary Elizabeth Anderson of Granite City on October 23, 1942. Senator Smith and his wife have a daughter, Sharon Lynne. Smith passed away on August 13, 1972. Smith was a man who fought for his convictions and worked long and hard to achieve his objectives.

In 1940, Smith set up a private law practice in the office of Judge Wesley Lueders in Granite City. The following year, he became Assistant to the General Attorney of the Chicago and Illinois Midland Railway Company in Springfield, Illinois, and served in that post until he was called to active duty in July 1942 with his U.S. Naval Reserve Unit.

After basic training, Ralph Smith served as an officer aboard a convoy escort vessel. In 1945, he was appointed Executive Officer of his ship and later took command of a ship at Guam. His orders directed him to Okinawa and finally to the Japanese home islands. He was released to inactive duty in January, 1946, as a lieutenant (Senior Grade). After the war, Smith returned to the C & IM Railroad as Assistant General Attorney. In May, 1946, he moved with his wife to Alton to engage in a general law practice. His many civic activities brought him in contact with other community leaders and before long, Smith was being asked to run for public office. Smith was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1954. He became Majority Whip in 1963 and was elected House Speaker in 1967 and again in 1969.

Some of the most important legislation in modern Illinois history was enacted under the guidance of House Speaker Smith—bills providing for police protection in unincorporated areas, stricter penalties for persons who commit crimes with dangerous weapons, and persons who pollute our air and water. He was also instrumental in passing a bill to improve our highways, a bill creating a State Budget Bureau, and a bill authorizing the State to hold a Constitutional Convention. House Speaker Smith also played a major role in modernizing the State’s legislative machinery to provide greater economies for the State’s many operations. His firm leadership was considered impartial by both Republicans and Democrats alike.

Ralph Smith was appointed by Governor Richard B. Ogilvie to fill the vacancy left by the death of Senator Everett Dirksen. Smith was sworn in as a United States Senator on September 18, 1969. Smith lost his re-election to the Senate in 1970 and returned to his general law practice in Alton. During that first year in Congress, Smith introduced and supported legislation in the fields of pollution, crime control, drug control, voting rights, and agriculture. He served on the following Senate Committees: Labor and Public Welfare, Aeronautics and Space Science, and a Special Committee for the Aging.

Smith married the former Mary Elizabeth Anderson of Granite City on October 23, 1942. Senator Smith and his wife have a daughter, Sharon Lynne. Smith passed away on August 13, 1972. Smith was a man who fought for his convictions and worked long and hard to achieve his objectives.