Southern Railroad, multiple streets, and the Provo Tabernacle were built. Smoot contributed personally to the fund for the Tabernacle and worked to raise money from the community as well. He was a major investor in the Provo Woolen Mills and eventually became president of the business. Smoot was also co-founder and president of the First National Bank of Provo and the Provo Lumber Manufacturing and Building Company. Smoot was the first president of the board of trustees of BYA from 1875 until his death in 1895. Board members such as Harvey H. Cluff and Martha Jane Knowlton Coray served under the direction of Smoot for twenty years. Smoot is credited with making major financial contributions to BYA that allowed for its continued operations. Enrollment increased from 70 students to 313 during Smoot's tenure. BYA eventually developed into BYU. Today, BYU's administration building is named after Smoot. Despite personal financial success, Smoot was heavily weighed down by the burden of debts from the construction of the Provo Tabernacle and Academy Building, for which he was personally liable, until his passing. He mortgaged his property in order to sustain BYA. In January 1884, a fire destroyed the Lewis Building, BYA's place of operation. Smoot quickly convened a meeting and was able to arrange school to be held that evening; thus, "only one day was lost". He appealed for financial support from the church multiple times, but this request was not granted during his lifetime. After Young's death, Smoot was colloquially called BYA's "foster father". In both Salt Lake and Provo, Smoot continued his studies at the School of the Prophets, which he first began in Kirtland, Ohio as a young man. He "had limited formal book learning but he was anxious that his children and the children in the church be given educational opportunities." Death and legacy Smoot died on March 6, 1895, in Provo, Utah. He had celebrated his 80th birthday with a large gathering of family members just 17 days prior. His health had declined after an incident in 1893 when he was hit by a falling tree. Smoot's funeral was held on March 10, 1895, in the Provo Tabernacle and was called "the most impressive ever witnessed in pioneer Utah territory." The LDS Church's First Presidencywhich included Lorenzo Snow and John Henry Smithwere in attendance. Speakers included George Q. Cannon, Joseph E. Taylor, Joseph F. Smith, Woodruff, and Karl