Identity area
Type of entity
Person
Authorized form of name
Smith, Edward I.
Parallel form(s) of name
- Smith, Edward Isadore
- Smith, Izzy
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
1909-1981
History
Edward “Izzy” Smith (b. Isadore) (1909-1991) grew up in Highland Park with his parents, brother “Sammy” and sisters Lillian and Rose. His father Joseph worked as a peddler, then established a successful junk dealing business in Highland Park. According to the census, Russian and Hebrew were spoken in the home.
Smith used his gift as “life of the party” to establish Edward Smith Manufacturing in 1928, the year he graduated from High School. His party game aids became staples at children’s parties and baby and bridal showers. The games were printed and bound at the manufacturing facility, 1316 Skokie Valley Road.
Smith suspended company operations for three years to serve in the United States Army during World War II. He was reluctant to discuss his years working with tank recovery in Europe as a Sargent. However, he shared tales of the different young women he met across the continent.
Smith played timpani in school and with local ensembles. His high school class voted him “Most Helpful to Class” and “Class Clown.” He placed second for “Noisiest Boy” and “Boy with the Best Line.”