William J. Smith (June 26, 1850 – June 13, 1906) was an American politician from Maryland. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County in 1896.
William J. Smith | |
|---|---|
.png) Smith in 1906 newspaper | |
| Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the Cecil County district | |
| In office 1896–1896 Serving with Lewis T. Logan and Webster White | |
| Preceded by | Frank H. Mackie, Richard L. Thomas Jr., George S. Woolley |
| Succeeded by | John H. Jenness, Wilmer D. Thompson, John S. Wirt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 26, 1850 near Chesapeake City, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | June 13, 1906 (aged 55) Elkton, Maryland, U.S. |
| Resting place | Elkton Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Mary A. Ash (m. 1876) |
| Children | 4 |
| Occupation | Politician |
Early life edit
William J. Smith was born on June 26, 1850, near Chesapeake City, Maryland, to Sarah J. (née Batton) and Samuel C. Smith. His father was a railroad worker. His maternal grandfather William Batton was a farmer and soldier in the War of 1812. Smith attended public schools. At the age of 21, he learned the trades of painter and paper hanger.[1][2][3]
Career edit
Smith was a Republican. In 1883, he was elected sheriff of Cecil County. In 1891, he was nominated for clerk of the circuit court, but lost.[1][2][3] He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County in 1896. He served as speaker pro tempore of the House of Delegates.[4] Smith was a delegate to the 1896 Republican National Convention.[1][3] In 1897, he ran for register of wills, but lost.[2] He was also a candidate for register of wills in Cecil County.[3]
In 1898, Smith was nominated by President William McKinley as postmaster of Elkton. He was renominated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902.[1] He retired from that role in May 1906.[2]
Smith worked in warehousing and the sale of farming implements and machinery. He was also a member of an auctioneering firm with A. T. Shockley. He continued the business after Shockley's death.[1]
Personal life edit
In 1876, Smith married Mary A. Ash, daughter of Miles Ash. They had one son and three daughters, Julian C., Gertrude A., Estelle and Mary B.[1][2][3]
Smith died on June 13, 1906, at his home on East Main Street in Elkton. He was buried at Elkton Cemetery.[1][2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g "William J. Smith". Cecil Whig. June 16, 1906. p. 1. Retrieved July 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f "W. J. Smith". The Midland Journal. June 15, 1906. p. 8. Retrieved July 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland. 1897. pp. 295–296. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Archive.org.
- ^ "Historical List, House of Delegates, Cecil County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 1, 2000. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
External links edit
Media related to William J. Smith (Maryland politician) at Wikimedia Commons
