Delavan Smith (1861-1922), born in Cincinnati, Ohio, was the son of newspaper publisher William Henry Smith. He was educated at Lake Forest Academy (Ill.) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Smith was part-owner and publisher of the "Indianapolis News" from 1892 to 1922, and had interests in other businesses including the Oliver Typewriter Company and the Cox Multi-Mailer Corporation. He was also a land speculator and involved in timber and small manufacturing enterprises.