A resident of Warren, Rhode Island, for many years, Richard Stanley Smith has risen to an important place in the life of this community. He has freely given his services in the public interest as town clerk, filling this position with efficiency and success for almost two decades.
Mr. Smith was born at Wellfleet, Massachusetts, on December 22, 1873, a son of John T. Smith, a native of Liverpool, England, and of Ella W. (Rich) Smith, born at Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Both parents are now deceased. The father was a mariner in early life, and later was engaged as a fisherman, fishing out of Cape Cod and Gloucester, Massachusetts. After his son’s birth he came to Warren, Rhode Island, and was here engaged in the oyster business for many years, later being Deputy Shell Fish Commissioner for the State and investigator for the State Board for the Purification of Waters.
Richard Stanley Smith received his education in the Warren schools, and following graduation from the high school began the business of life in the offices of the Warren Manufacturing Company. Employed at first in a minor capacity, he gradually won merited advancement to positions of confidence and trust. In his eighteen years with the Warren Manufacturing Company, he ably performed the duties which came to him and gained the regard of the people of this community for his keen interest in the public welfare. In 1912 the electorate decided to avail itself of his services, and in that year he was chosen to fill the office of town clerk. By successive reelection he has remained in office ever since. Mr. Smith is one of the best-known officials of this section of Rhode Island, and his able attention to the work of his position has won him much praise.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Town and City Clerks’ Association of Rhode Island, and of the Providence Central Club. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Washington Lodge, No. 3, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past Master. In this order he is also a member of Webb Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters, and of Temple Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest. Mr. Smith is a member also of the Lions Club of Warren. In politics he is an independent voter. He is fond of boating, bowling and automobiling, and to these diversions he turns his attention in his leisure moments.
In 1900 Richard Stanley Smith married Annie B. Morey, who was born at Clarksburg, West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of one son, Walton M., an advertising manager.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.