SMART John Franklin, Brainerd. Public official. Born Feb 13, 1872 in Benton county Minn, son of Edward J and Agnes (Russell) Smart. Married Sept 18, 1901 to Myrtle E Gates. Educated in common schools; State Normal School at St Cloud 3 years, and special course at U of M 2 years. During college course engaged in teaching in Stearns and Otter Tail counties; timekpr for R R contractors in Ward county N Dakota and in the pineries of Minn for several years; with brother W E Smart opened and operated a farm in Long Lake township Crow Wing county from 1898. Independent candidate for county auditor 1904; defeated by 9 votes; elected on Republican ticket 1906. Member M W A and Y M C A.

Little sketches of big folks, Minnesota 1907 [p. 365]