Introduction

Biography

Olaf was the son of Hans Sme­by and He­lene Ols­dat­ter, and hus­band of Anne Ma­rie Carl­son.

He at­tend­ed Lu­ther Col­lege, De­co­rah, Io­wa (AB 1871) and Con­cor­dia Se­mi­na­ry, Saint Lou­is, Mis­sou­ri (1871–74).

He was or­dained in 1874 in the Nor­we­gian Sy­nod of the Lu­ther­an Church, and served as pas­tor at Al­bert Lea, Min­ne­so­ta (1874–1920).

He al­so taught at the Lu­ther Aca­de­my in Al­bert Lea (1888–1904).

He was sec­re­ta­ry of the Io­wa Dis­trict of the Nor­we­gian Sy­nod (1895–1907), and district vice-pre­si­dent (1907–13).

He served on the com­mit­tee to pre­pare Eng­lish hym­nals for the sy­nod: Chris­tian Hymns (1896–98) and the Lu­ther­an Hymnary (1908–13). He trans­lat­ed ma­ny hymns, as well.