William M. Smith

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This article is about an Illinois politician. For the New Zealand historical figure, see William Mein Smith.

William M. Smith
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 63rd district
In office
1867 (1867) – 1873 (1873)
Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives
In office
1871–1873
Preceded byFranklin Corwin
Succeeded byShelby Moore Cullom
Personal details
Born(1827-05-23)May 23, 1827
Frankfort, Kentucky
DiedMarch 25, 1886(1886-03-25) (aged 58)
Lexington, Illinois
Political partyRepublican
Signature

William M. Smith (May 23, 1827 – 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 Illinois House of Representatives in 1866, 1868, and 1870. He fiercely opposed the policies of Andrew Johnson,[4] and was known to Illinois newspapers as "The Duke of Lexington" due to his strong personality. He spent his last two years in the legislature as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. After Shelby M. Cullom was elected Governor of Illinois he appointed Smith to the board of the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, where he remained until ill health compelled him to resign. Smith resided in Lexington, Illinois, where he farmed and dealt in cattle. He was a member of 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

  1. ^ Illinois Blue Book 1871, p. 182
  2. ^ Temple, Wayne C. "Delegates to the Illinois State Republican Nominating Convention in 1860". Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 92, no. 3 (1999): 289–98.
  3. ^ a b Raum, Green Berry (1900). History of Illinois Republicanism. Chicago, IL: Rollins Publishing Company. p. 612-613. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ ""Uncle Billy's" Suicide". Chicago Tribune. March 26, 1886. p. 1. Retrieved February 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.


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