[1] The family moved to the city's Mount Airy neighborhood where Smullen's father was worked in real estate.
[2] Smullen graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, then joined his father's business.
[2] In 1961, the Democratic city councilman for the 8th district, Alfred Leopold Luongo, was appointed to the federal bench, and Republican ward leaders chose Smullen to run in the special election to replace him.
[4] In the 1963 election, redistricting added the 49th ward to Smullen's district; the result was a narrow victory for his Democratic opponent, Isadore H.
[5] In 1964, Smullen ran for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, but fell short of victory, losing to Democrat Walter H.