US Congressman. He graduated from Union College in 1861 and took part in the Civil War as a provider of supplies to the Union Army. At the war's end he settled in Louisiana, where he became the owner of a store and the Southwestern Telegram newspaper, and President of the Shreveport Savings Bank. He held several local offices during Reconstruction, including Caddo Parish Tax Collector, and served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1870 to 1872. In 1873 he was the successful Republican nominee for the seat in the US House left vacant by the death of Representative-elect Samuel Peters and served a partial term, November, 1873 to March, 1875. In 1876 Smith played a key role in producing a Republican majority in Caddo Parish, helping swing Louisiana to the Republicans in the disputed Hayes-Tilden presidential election. In 1878 Smith was appointed US Customs Collector for New Orleans, which Democrats argued was his reward for aiding Hayes. He served until resigning in 1879. That year he faced a trial for malfeasance, accused of paying salaries to employees who did political work. His convincing defense that he paid temporary employees to deliver aid during a yellow fever epidemic led to an immediate acquittal and an apology from the prosecutor. After his trial he moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he owned a store and a real estate business.
US Congressman. He graduated from Union College in 1861 and took part in the Civil War as a provider of supplies to the Union Army. At the war's end he settled in Louisiana, where he became the owner of a store and the Southwestern Telegram newspaper, and President of the Shreveport Savings Bank. He held several local offices during Reconstruction, including Caddo Parish Tax Collector, and served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1870 to 1872. In 1873 he was the successful Republican nominee for the seat in the US House left vacant by the death of Representative-elect Samuel Peters and served a partial term, November, 1873 to March, 1875. In 1876 Smith played a key role in producing a Republican majority in Caddo Parish, helping swing Louisiana to the Republicans in the disputed Hayes-Tilden presidential election. In 1878 Smith was appointed US Customs Collector for New Orleans, which Democrats argued was his reward for aiding Hayes. He served until resigning in 1879. That year he faced a trial for malfeasance, accused of paying salaries to employees who did political work. His convincing defense that he paid temporary employees to deliver aid during a yellow fever epidemic led to an immediate acquittal and an apology from the prosecutor. After his trial he moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he owned a store and a real estate business.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Advertisement
See more Smith memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
