Smietanka, Julius F.
Lawyer, banker. Born in Chicago, Ill., May 31, 1872. After receiving his early education in public and private institutions, entered Chicago Kent College of Law from which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1894; now head of the firm of Smietanka, Conlon and Nowak, Chicago, Ill. Member of the Chicago, Illinois State and American Bar Associations, and the Polish Lawyers Association. Very active in business, political, social and civic affairs. For ten years general counsel for the Polish National Alliance. Nominated by the Democratic party for judge of the Superior Court in 1906, but defeated at elections. In 1909 appointed member of the Chicago Board of Education and reappointed for 2nd term. In 1914 accepted the office of Collector of Internal Revenue for the Northern District of Illinois tendered him by President Wilson, where he served for six years; his government experience led him to specializing in Federal taxation. In May 1923 a member of the Board of Education, becoming chairman of the finance committee, and later vice-president, and upon the death of the President of the Board of Education, assumed the duties of the presidency of the Board. In September 1923, a candidate for judge of the Superior Court, but lost out by a small margin; was for thirteen years president of the Polish Welfare Association of Chicago; is now Assistant Treasurer and member of the executive committee of the Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago; a former director of the Chicago Grand Opera Company; a director of the Union Investment Company; a member of Polish National Alliance, Knights of Columbus. Married Mary Barzynski, the sister of Brigadier General Joseph E. Barzynski, U. S. Army; have five children. Pursues horticulture as an outside interest and hobby. Secretary of Great Lakes Insurance Co. President of Union Bank of Chicago, Ill. Address: 7 So. Dearborn St., Chicago, Ill.From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943