Edward McMurray Smith

Edward McMurray "Ed M." Smith (October 31, 1870 – October 26, 1953) was an American politician and newspaper editor.
Born in Jackson County, Iowa, Smith moved with his parents to Madison County, Iowa. He went to the Madison public schools. Smith then went to Dexter Normal School in Dexter, Iowa and to Drake University. From 1898 to 1900, Smith served as superintendent of Madison County Schools. In 1899, Smith became publisher and editor of The Winterset Madisonian newspaper in Winterset, Iowa. Smith served as postmaster for Winterset from 1904 to 1908. From 1917 to 1925, Smith served in the Iowa State Senate and was a Republican. In 1928, Smith was appointed Iowa Secretary of State when the incumbent Walter C. Ramsey died in office. He served until 1931. In 1930, he sought the Republican nomination for Governor of Iowa and lost. Smith died in a hospital in Winterset, Iowa after a brief illness.