Franklin Harvey Smith

Founder: Society Kappa Psi

Grand Regent: 1895-1901

Franklin Harvey Smith, the founder of ‘Society of Kappa Psi,’ was born in Wolcottville, Connecticut in August 1865. He was the only son of David W. Smith, a civil war veteran and Harriet (Hattie) Smith (Todd). Growing up in New Haven at 203 Crown Street in Connecticut, F. Harvey, like his father, attended Russel Military Academy (New Haven Collegiate and Commercial Institute). On June 15, 1987, F. Harvey married Emma Gertrude Wade of Springfield, MA where F. Harvey resided while working as a Civil Engineer. On March 31, 1888, Franklin and Emma welcomed the birth of their first son, Merrill Winship Smith. Merrill’s middle name Winship was the madden name of F. Harvey’s Father’s mother: Frances Winship. Their second son, Raymond Brinley Smith was born on May 12, 1889. F. Harvey and Emma moved back to New Haven in 1892. Franklin provided advice and assistance to Preston W. Eldridge, Jr and William F. Clark in organizing a Kappa Psi Chapter at Hillhouse High School on June 12, 1894. From an article in The Morning Journal-Courier, the New Haven Newspaper on February 13, 1895, “A handsome gold pin of the organization was presented to F. Harvey Smith, one of the founders of the society.” On December 10, 1895 he organized the Alpha Chapter of Kappa Psi in New Haven which consisted of the alumni of the first three chapters: Russel, Cheshire and Hillhouse. At this meeting, F. Harvey was elected Grand Regent.

F. Harvey along with Preston W. Eldridge installed the first collegiate chapter, Delta, at the University of Maryland School of Medicine on November 18, 1898 and the second chapter, Gamma, on November 20, 1898. F. Harvey moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1900 and stayed until 1902 to become secretary, treasurer and General Manager of the Franklin Health Society. From a newspaper article in The Evening Journal of Wilmington, DE, F. Harvey and Dr. J Harmer Rile went to Richmond, VA where they instituted a Greek Letter Society Chapter, Beta Chapter. He moved back to New Haven in 1902 and then to Boston in 1904. In a newspaper article in The Morning Journal-Courier, New Haven on August 15, 1904, F. Harvey’s Mother, Hattie, visited him in Boston. The 1906 Agora listed F. Harvey’s address as 45 Hancock Street. Between 1908 and 1910, F. Harvey was living at 4 Williams Street, Holyoke, MA and then in 1910, at 27 Westminster Street, Providence, RI. Later in 1910, F. Harvey Moved to Los Angeles, California. Once in Los Angeles, F. Harvey worked as a salesperson and in 1912, his address was listed at the Hotel Morgan, 8th and Hope Street. On July 17, 1913, He remarried to his wife Natalie B. Rutherford and later, their address was listed as 1614c Maltman Ave. In 1919, F. Harvey moved to Stockton, CA where he worked for the Sante Fe Railroad. He then moved back to Los Angeles in 1920 and worked as a salesperson. Franklin Harvey Smith died on March 3, 1924 in Los Angles from complications form tuberculous. F. Harvey was a member of the Elks and is buried at Inglewood Cemetery.

Record of F. Harvey’s marriage to E. Gertrude Wade in 1887. *Town Recorder; Springfield, MA*

F. Havey Smith’s Marriage Certificate for his second marriage. *On July 17,1913 Franklin married Natalie Rutherford*

Copy of Franklin Harvey Smith’s Death Certificate (1924). *California Bureau of Vital Statistics*

Signature of F. Harvey Smith

Franklin Harvey Smith

Preston Woodnut Eldridge, Jr

Andrew Richard Bliss, Jr.

Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Inc.