Five terms as mayor of the City of Beloit was the record set by a college professor – and possibly not equaled by any person. He was Erastus G. Smith, professor of chemistry at the College from 1881 until 1921. He served three times as mayor in the 1880’s and 1890’s and twice more after the turn of the century. He also served in the State Legislature. He was influential in directing scores of college students into the field of industrial and professional chemistry. Professor Smith achieved national fame for his studies of water and became an expert in testing water and other substances.

The story is often told of his receiving a request from a soap company for an analysis of a soap product. His report to the company indicated that he would not give the soap a complete report of purity, but that it was “99 & 44/100ths% pure.” He also reported that “it floats.” The report was used for two of the most famous advertising slogans of all time, making Ivory Soap known all over the world. Smith was an Amherst graduate and received his doctorate from a German University. The Smith Limnology Laboratory was named in memory of him and his son, Gilbert, a Beloit graduate. Two sons, two daughters and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren have attended Beloit College.