John Smith (Vermont politician)

John Smith (August 12, 1789 – November 26, 1858) was an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from Vermont. He served as a U.S. Representative for one term, prior to which he served as Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives.

John Smith
Member of the United States House of Representatives from Vermont's 4th district
In office
March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841
Preceded byHeman Allen (of Milton)
Succeeded byAugustus Young
Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives
In office
1831–1834
Preceded byRobert B. Bates
Succeeded byEbenezer N. Briggs
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from St. Albans
In office
1827–1837
Preceded byBenjamin Swift
Succeeded byLawrence Brainerd
Personal details
Born(1789-08-12)August 12, 1789
Barre, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedAugust 26, 1858(1858-08-26) (aged 69)
St. Albans, Vermont, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMaria W. Curtis Smith[1]
Children7 (including J. Gregory Smith and Worthington Curtis Smith[2]
Alma materUniversity of Vermont
ProfessionLawyer

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 State's Attorney for Franklin County from 1826 until 1832. Smith was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives from 1827 until 1837, and served as Speaker from 1831 until 1833.[4]

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, J. Gregory, Edward Curtis, Worthington Curtis, Julia Pierpont, Francis Curtis, and Louisa Ten Broeck.[9][10][11]

He was the grandfather of Edward Curtis Smith. In addition, his family was related by marriage to those of Lawrence Brainerd, Amaziah Bailey James and F. Stewart Stranahan.

Smith was also the great-great-grandfather of William Scranton, who served as Governor of and a Congressman from Pennsylvania. The genealogical line runs from John Smith (great-great-grandfather) to Worthington C. Smith (great-grandfather) to Katherine Maria Smith Scranton (grandmother) to Worthington Scranton (father) to William Scranton.

Death

Smith died on November 26, 1858 in St. Albans, Vermont. He in interred at Greenwood Cemetery in St. Albans.[12]

References
  1. "The Biography of John Smith". History 50 States. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  2. "Smith Family Papers". The University of Vermont Libraries. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  3. "Smith, John (1789-1858)". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  4. "SMITH, John, (1789 - 1858)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  5. "Rep. John Smith". Govtrack.us. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  6. 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.
  7. "Smith Family Papers". The University of Vermont Libraries. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  8. "The Biography of John Smith". History 50 States. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  9. "Smith Family Papers". The University of Vermont Libraries. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  10. "Smith, Worthington Curtis (1823-1894)". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  11. "The Biography of John Smith". History 50 States. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  12. "John Smith". Find A Grave. Retrieved December 7, 2012.

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.


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