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DERBY RIDLON SMITH
The presidency of the Smith-Kirk Candy Company is held by Derby Ridlon Smith, who is most efficient in directing
the activities of the corporation. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but in controlling
and enlarging this many a man of less resolute spirit or of more restricted business vision and insight would have
failed. He has proven adequate to the demands made upon him and in association with his brothers is conducting
the business along the lines of constantly increasing success and profit. Mr. Smith is a native son of Ohio, his
birth having occurred in Cincinnati, August 8, 1884, his parents being Jerome H. and Helen (Ridlon) Smith, a sketch
of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Derby Ridlon Smith has been a resident of Toledo from the age of seven years and is indebted to the public school
system of the city for the early educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He became a high school pupil and
later received thorough training in the Culver Military Academy of Indiana, which he attended from 1901 until 1904.
When he had put aside his textbooks, returning to his home, he joined his father in the candy business, being then
a young man of twenty years. In this he was associated with his father until the latter's death, when he was elected
to the presidency of the company and has since remained at the head of the business, bending his energies to administrative
direction and executive control. His long experience under his father's supervision had brought him intimate and
accurate knowledge of the business and the points necessary to the attainment of success in its management. His
judgment in trade relations is sound and discriminating and his enterprise has brought substantial results.
Mr. Smith has been married twice. He first wedded Emma Allison of Indianapolis and they became the parents of two
sons; Allison Derby, born in February, 1912; and Jerome Henry (II), born in June, 1913. For his second wife Mr.
Smith married Miss Frances Russell of Toledo, whom he wedded on the 25th of December. 1915. The various membership
connections of Mr. Smith show the breadth and scope of his interests and activities. He belongs to the Chamber
of Commerce, of which he is now the first vice president, and he also has membership in the Exchange Club, of which
he was formerly president. In the Young Men's Christian Association he is serving as a trustee and the Masonic
fraternity numbers him among its faithful followers. He has membership in the Inverness and Toledo clubs and he
is fond of golf and fishing. Those who know him, and he has a wide acquaintance, speak of him in terms of high
regard. His capability has constantly unfolded and expanded and he has not only proved adequate to the task of
developing an important business interest but also at the same time has fully met all of the duties and obligations
of citizenship, nor has he been unappreciative of the social amenities of life and of his responsibilities toward
his fellowmen.
From:
Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio
1623-1923
BY: John M. Killits, A.M., LL.D.
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
Chicago and Toledo
1923
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