Smith, James Lewis

Born in Waukesha Co., WI; deaf at 8 from meningitis. Minnesota School for the deaf, age 11 till graduation in 1878. Gallaudet College 1878-1883 (B.A.); M.A. from Gallaudet in 1888. Taught at the Wisconsin School for the deaf in 1883, then a private tutor for another year before becoming head teacher at the Minnesota School from 1885 on; also principal of the school dept. for 2 years. Was also editor of the Minnesota Companion school newspaper. Married Katie Thubes in 1887, but she died in 1894; he remarried to Maria M.A. Peterson (q.v.) in 1895. President of the National Association of the Deaf 1900-1904.