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Dee Glen Smith oral histories, 1925-1992

Overview of the Collection

Title
Dee Glen Smith oral histories
Dates
1925-1992 (inclusive)
Quantity
7 boxes, (3 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 273
Summary
This collection consists of the audio cassette recordings and the typescripts of numerous oral history interviews conducted by Howard M. Carlisle during the 1980s about Dee Smith.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Dee Glen Smith was born September 30, 1925 in Brigham City, Utah the son of Ren and Seret Smith. He worked for his father, who owned a small grocery story, throughout his youth. He graduated from Box Elder High School in 1943 and quickly joined the US Army. During a leave of absence, Smith married his high school sweetheart, Ida Woodyatt in May 1944. After an honorable discharge as a corporal from the Army, Smith returned to help his father run his grocery store, quickly catching on to the daily store activity and soon taking over many responsibilities from his father. Smith joined with a partner and expanded his business, Smith's Grocery, into Ogden, Roy, and Layton, Utah. After his father passed away, Smith took over as president and began to expand even more throughout Utah and later into Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, and other states. Many small grocery chains were up for sale at the time due to poor business practices and Dee Smith bought them up and consolidated them into a profitable venture. Dee Glen Smith died June 30, 1984 in Salt Lake City, Utah, leaving behind a billion-dollar business that included 128 stores and 6,500 employees.

Dee Glen Smith Biographical Timeline:

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Content Description

This collection consists of the audio cassette recordings and the typescripts of numerous oral history interviews conducted by Howard M. Carlisle during the 1980s. These interviews were conducted by Carlisle for use in writing his 1992 book, Fulfilling a Dream: The Dee Smith Story (see citation below). Concerning the content these interviews Carlisle stated:

The taped interviews are not restricted to topics related to the growth of the company. Several interviews are with older Brigham City residents (most of whom have since died) relating to early years and conditions in the community during the past century. Most notable are insights into the small general stores of the period, how investment capital was obtained during the Great Depression when banks were extremely conservative, and insights into living conditions in the typical small Utah community.

The material in this collection has been organized into two series. Series I consists of the oral history typescripts, Carlisle's notes concerning the interviews, and one box (Box 3) containing information about Dee Smith's businesses. Series II consists of the oral history audio cassette and compact disc recordings.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Dee Glen Smith oral histories must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Dee Glen Smith oral histories USU_COLL MSS 273, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations: USU_COLL MSS 273, USUSCA.

Alternative Forms Available

Contains audio cassette tapes and compact discs.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type.

Processing Note

Processed in February of 2006.

Acquisition Information

The materials in this collection were donated to Utah State University Special Collections & Archives by Howard M. Carlisle in December 2002.

Related Materials

Carlisle, Howard M., Fulfilling a Dream: The Dee Smith Story, (HD 9321.95 .S64 C37 1992)

Dee Glen Smith Photograph Collection P0438

Separated Materials

Dee Glen Smith photograph collection P0438

Bibliography

Carlisle, Howard M., Fulfilling a Dream: The Dee Smith Story, (HD 9321.95 .S64 C37 1992)
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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

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