John Speed Smith
John Speed Smith (July 1, 1792 – June 6, 1854) was an attorney and politician, a U.S. Representative from Kentucky, and a state representative for several terms, as well as state senator. He served for four years as a US District Attorney. He was the father of Green Clay Smith, who also served as a state representative and US Congressman.
John Speed Smith | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Kentucky State Senator | |
| In office 1846–1850 | |
| Kentucky State Representative | |
| In office 1845–1846 | |
| In office 1839–1842 | |
| In office 1827–1831 | |
| In office 1819–1820 | |
| Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
| In office 1827–1828 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 7th district | |
| In office August 6, 1821 – March 3, 1823 | |
| Preceded by | George Robertson |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Patrick Moore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 1, 1792 Jessamine County, Kentucky |
| Died | June 6, 1854 (aged 61) Richmond, Kentucky |
| Resting place | Richmond Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth Lewis Clay
(m. 1815) |
| Children | Green Clay Smith |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1812–1814 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | War of 1812 |
Early life, education and military service
John Speed Smith was born on July 1, 1792,[1] to Mary (née Speed) and William Smith[2] near Nicholasville, Kentucky in Jessamine County. Smith attended a private school in Mercer County. After that, he "read the law" with an established firm. He was admitted to the bar in 1812 and commenced practice in Richmond, Kentucky.[1]
During the War of 1812, Smith enlisted as a private. He was subsequently promoted and commissioned as a major. He served as aide-de-camp, with the rank of colonel, to General William Henry Harrison, later president of the United States.[1]
Marriage and family
In 1815 at the age of 23, Smith married Elizabeth Lewis Clay (1798-1887), then 17, the daughter of Green Clay, considered one of the wealthiest men in Kentucky, and Sally (Lewis) Clay.[3] Their several children included Sally Ann Lewis Smith (1818-1875),[3] named for her maternal grandmother; Curran Cassius Smith, Green Clay Smith, named for his maternal grandfather; Pauline Green Smith, Junius Brutus Smith (never married), Mary Spencer Smith(never married), and John Speed Smith, Jr.[4]
Curran Cassius Smith became a doctor. He also managed his father's estate after his mother was widowed, making his home with her and his family. Green Clay Smith followed his father and maternal uncles into law and politics, serving at both the state and federal levels.[4]
Political career
John Speed Smith was elected to the state house of representatives in 1819, serving one term.[1]
Smith was elected as a Republican to the Seventeenth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of George Robertson and served from August 6, 1821, to March 3, 1823. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1822.[1]
He was elected again as a member of the state house of representatives in 1827, when he was also elected as speaker of the Kentucky House.[1]
Smith was appointed by President John Quincy Adams to go on a mission to South America.[2][5] He was appointed as United States district attorney for Kentucky by President Andrew Jackson, serving 1828-1832.[1][2]
He was elected again to the state house in 1839, 1841, and 1845. He was elected as a member of the state senate, serving 1846-1850.[1]
Smith died in Richmond, Kentucky, June 6, 1854, and was interred in Richmond Cemetery.[1]
References
- "Smith, John Speed". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
- Speed, Thomas (1892). Records and Memorials of the Speed Family. p. 88.
- "KOAR's Russian Connection", Kentucky Online Arts Resource Blog, 15 October 2012
- Thomas Speed, Records and Memorials of the Speed Family, Courier-Journal Job Printing Company, 1892, pp. 88-89
- "26 February 1827". John Quincy Adams Digital Diary. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
- United States Congress. "John Speed Smith (id: S000575)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Allen, William B. (1872). A History of Kentucky: Embracing Gleanings, Reminiscences, Antiquities, Natural Curiosities, Statistics, and Biographical Sketches of Pioneers, Soldiers, Jurists, Lawyers, Statesmen, Divines, Mechanics, Farmers, Merchants, and Other Leading Men, of All Occupations and Pursuits. Bradley & Gilbert. pp. 264–265. Retrieved 2008-11-10.