Smith, Ralph T. (Ralph Tyler), 1915-1972

Lawyer, Illinois state representative (Republican), 1954-1969, from Alton, Illinois; and U.S. senator, 1969-1971, appointed to fill the seat of Everett M. Dirksen after his death.

Born in 1915, Smith was a graduate of Illinois College, Jacksonville, and Washington University Law School, St. Louis, Missouri. Smith was downstate campaign manager of the gubernatorial campaigns of Charles F. Carpentier and Richard Ogilvie. A member of many fraternal and professional organizations, Smith was married to Mary Elizabeth Anderson with whom he had a daughter, Sharon Lynne. Smith died in 1972.

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