George Wilbert Smith

George Wilbert Smith (April 24, 1855 – August 1, 1931)[1] was a teacher, businessman and politician in Alberta, Canada. He served on the Red Deer City Council and in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1921 until his death in 1931 sitting with the United Farmers caucus in government.

George Wilbert Smith
Mayor of Red Deer
In office
1916–1918
Preceded byJohn Carswell
Succeeded byWilliam Lord
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
In office
July 18, 1921 – August 1, 1931
Preceded byJohn Gaetz
Succeeded byWilliam Payne
ConstituencyRed Deer
Personal details
BornApril 24, 1855
Maitland, Nova Scotia
DiedAugust 1, 1931(1931-08-01) (aged 76)
Red Deer, Alberta
Political partyUnited Farmers
Occupationteacher politician

Early life

George Wilbert Smith was born in 1855 in the town of Maitland, Nova Scotia.[2] He moved to the Northwest Territories and settled in the Red Deer area in 1883. Smith became the first school teacher in central Alberta.[2]

Smith was also a business man. He founded and served as a director on the Smith Lead Company Ltd. and also served on the board of directors for the Western General Electric Company.[2]

Political career

Municipal

Smith served as an alderman on Red Deer City Council for several years and as mayor from 1916 to 1918.[2]

Provincial

Smith ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature in the 1921 Alberta general election under the United Farmers banner. He defeated incumbent John Gaetz in a two-way race in a landslide to pick up the Red Deer electoral district for his party.[3]

Smith faced Gaetz again in the 1926 Alberta general election as well as Conservative candidate William Payne. Smith defeated Payne on the second vote count to hold his seat.[4]

In the 1930 Alberta general election Smith faced Payne again in a two-way race and defeated him by 88 votes.[5]

Smith was hospitalized in Red Deer, Alberta in July 1931 for ailing kidneys. He died on August 1, 1931 of a heart seizure shortly before he was to have surgery.[2]

References
  1. Normandin, P.G.; Normandin, A.L. (1922). Guide Parlementaire Canadien. Gale Canada. ISSN 0315-6168. Retrieved May 29, 2015.
  2. "Member For Red Deer George W. Smith Succumbs". Vol XXIV No 197. The Lethbridge Herald. August 1, 1931. p. 1.
  3. "Red Deer Official Results 1921 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  4. "Red Deer Official Results 1926 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
  5. "Red Deer Official Results 1930 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
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