William M. Smith
Appearance
William M. Smith | |
---|---|
Shelby Moore Cullom | |
Personal details | |
Born | Frankfort, Kentucky | May 23, 1827
Died | March 25, 1886 Lexington, Illinois | (aged 58)
Political party | Republican |
Signature | |
William M. Smith (May 23, 1827 โ March 25, 1886) was an American politician who served as the 24th
Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. A Republican, he held the position from 1871 until 1873.[1]
Life and political career
Smith was born May 23, 1827, in Franklin County, Kentucky, before moving to McLean County, Illinois. He was involved in Republican politics since the founding of the party and was unafraid to espouse his anti-slavery beliefs. He was a delegate at the Illinois State Republican convention in 1860 and nominated Abraham Lincoln for the presidency.[2][3]
He was elected to the
Methodist Church and was married to Nancy Hopkins with whom he had one daughter.[3]
Death
On March 25, 1886, Smith committed suicide by gunshot in a barn on his farm.[5]
References
- ^ Illinois Blue Book 1871, p. 182
- ^ Temple, Wayne C. "Delegates to the Illinois State Republican Nominating Convention in 1860". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 92, no. 3 (1999): 289โ98.
- ^ a b Raum, Green Berry (1900). History of Illinois Republicanism. Chicago, IL: Rollins Publishing Company. p. 612-613. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ "Rousing Meeting at Pontiac-Speechers by Hons. S.M. Cullom and William Smith". Chicago Tribune. October 3, 1866. p. 4. Retrieved February 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ ""Uncle Billy's" Suicide". Chicago Tribune. March 26, 1886. p. 1. Retrieved February 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.