Smielau, Franklin C.

Born at Cincinnati, OH and deafened at age 7 from unknown causes. Attended a Cincinnati day school before entering Ohio School for the Deaf at age 10; graduated 1892. Gallaudet College student at only age 15, graduating 1897. Star of baseball and football teams at OSD and Gallaudet. Active in deaf organizations, including alumni associations of OSD and Gallaudet and the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf. Helped get a Pennsylvania law passed setting up mandatory education for Pennsylvania deaf persons. Married Theresa Schoenenberger. Ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1902.; his service area included Pennsylvania and Ohio and as far afield as Michigan and western New York. President of the National Association of the Deaf 1930-1933. Retired 1933 because of physical disability from diabetes; eventually one leg had to be amputated. Died at Ashland, PA.