US Congressman. He attended schools in Clarkston and Detroit and became a schoolteacher in 1869. In 1875 Smith became Principal and Superintendent of Schools for Waterford, Michigan. He also studied law in an attorney's office while attending the University of Michigan Law School, attaining admission to the bar in 1877 and receiving his law degree in 1878. Smith then began a law practice in Pontiac, Michigan and served as Oakland County's Prosecuting Attorney from 1880 to 1884. In 1884 he was elected to the Michigan Senate, serving from 1885 to 1887. In 1896 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Republican and served nine terms, 1897 to 1915. In his seventh and eighth terms Smith was Chairman of the House Committee on the District of Columbia. He did not run for reelection in 1914 and moved to Detroit, where he resumed practicing law.
US Congressman. He attended schools in Clarkston and Detroit and became a schoolteacher in 1869. In 1875 Smith became Principal and Superintendent of Schools for Waterford, Michigan. He also studied law in an attorney's office while attending the University of Michigan Law School, attaining admission to the bar in 1877 and receiving his law degree in 1878. Smith then began a law practice in Pontiac, Michigan and served as Oakland County's Prosecuting Attorney from 1880 to 1884. In 1884 he was elected to the Michigan Senate, serving from 1885 to 1887. In 1896 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Republican and served nine terms, 1897 to 1915. In his seventh and eighth terms Smith was Chairman of the House Committee on the District of Columbia. He did not run for reelection in 1914 and moved to Detroit, where he resumed practicing law.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Siblings
Half Siblings
Advertisement
