Paul Chandler Smith was born in Rock Rapids. Following his graduation as the top journalism student at the University of Iowa in 1926, he joined his father and brother and began his newspaper career. Paul became the third generation of the Smith family as Editor and Publisher of the Lyon County Reporter in 1938. He was mayor of Rock Rapids and was a consistent promoter and supporter in his favorite town and county. He was the president of Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of the planning committee and the board of directors for his dedicated services. During World War II he served as the Lyon County Home Service Director for the Red Cross, as such he was the emergency contact between servicemen and their families at home. He published the Reporter and the Canton newspaper for the duration with daily trips between the two. Paul was president of the Iowa Press Association, the 
Tri-State Press Association and the National Newspaper Association. He received the NNA Amos Award for “vigorous leadership in support of a free press” and was chosen a Master Editor of Iowa.

You can find the Paul Smith mural on the front of the building where he spent most of his time, the Lyon County Reporter office, on Highway 9, just west of the downtown stoplight, on the south side of the street. JoEllen painted the mural directly on the window in 2004.

Other artist credits, “Don DeWaay” (5) “Louie Severson” (13)