John Smith (Vermont politician)
John Smith | |
---|---|
Heman Allen (of Milton) | |
Succeeded by | Augustus Young |
Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives | |
In office 1831–1834 | |
Preceded by | Robert B. Bates |
Succeeded by | Ebenezer N. Briggs |
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from St. Albans | |
In office 1827–1837 | |
Preceded by | Benjamin Swift |
Succeeded by | Lawrence Brainerd |
Personal details | |
Born | Worthington Curtis Smith[2] | August 12, 1789
Alma mater | University of Vermont |
Profession | Lawyer |
John Smith (August 12, 1789 – November 26, 1858) was an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from
Biography
Smith was born in Barre, Massachusetts[3] to Deacon Samuel Smith and Patience Gregory Smith. His family moved to St. Albans in 1800, and he attended the common schools. Smith later studied law, first with his brother in law Roswell Hutchins, and later with Benjamin Swift. He was admitted to the bar in 1810 and began the practice of law in St. Albans as Swift's partner.
He was
He was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth Congress, serving from March 4, 1839, until March 3, 1841.[5] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1840 to the Twenty-seventh Congress.
While in Congress, Smith delivered the speech, ""The Defense of the Independent Treasury Idea", which gained national attention and was considered one of the best speeches on this subject.[6] Smith received an honorary Master of Arts degree from the University of Vermont.[7]
After leaving Congress, Smith became involved in railroad enterprises and helped establish the Vermont and Canada Railroad.[8]
Family
John Smith married Maria Waitstill Curtis in 1814. Their children included Harriet Maria,
He was the grandfather of
Smith was also the great-great-grandfather of
Death
Smith died on November 26, 1858, in St. Albans, Vermont. He in interred at Greenwood Cemetery in St. Albans.[12]
References
- ^ "The Biography of John Smith". History 50 States. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "Smith Family Papers". The University of Vermont Libraries. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "Smith, John (1789-1858)". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "SMITH, John, (1789 - 1858)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "Rep. John Smith". Govtrack.us. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ Carleton, Hiram (1903). Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation, Volume 2. Lewis Publishing Company. p. 53.
- ^ "Smith Family Papers". The University of Vermont Libraries. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "The Biography of John Smith". History 50 States. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "Smith Family Papers". The University of Vermont Libraries. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "Smith, Worthington Curtis (1823-1894)". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "The Biography of John Smith". History 50 States. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ "Greenwood Cemetery, St. Albans". VOCA58.org. Brattleboro, VT: Vermont Old Cemetery Association. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
Further reading
- "Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation, Volume 2" by Hiram Carleton, published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1903.
External links
- Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- John Smith at Find a Grave
- Govtrack.us
- The Political Graveyard
- History 50 States