John Francis Smithwick facts for kids
John Francis Smithwick (born 1844, died 27 August 1913) was an important Irish businessman and politician. He was known for leading his family's famous brewing company and for his many roles in local and national government.
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Who Was John Francis Smithwick?
John Francis Smithwick came from the well-known Smithwick's brewing family. This family owned a very famous brewery in Ireland. John Francis took over the family business, becoming its leader. He helped the company grow and succeed.
Early Life and Business
John Francis was born in 1844. He grew up learning about the family business. Running a brewery meant he had to be good at managing people and money. His work in the business world helped him understand how things worked in the community.
His Roles in Local Government
John Francis Smithwick was very active in the local politics of Kilkenny. He cared a lot about his community. He held several important jobs that helped shape the city and county.
High Sheriff of Kilkenny
He was chosen to be the High Sheriff of County Kilkenny two times. He also served as High Sheriff of Kilkenny City once. A High Sheriff was a very important official. They were in charge of keeping law and order in their area. They also helped with local government duties.
Mayor of Kilkenny City
In 1884, John Francis Smithwick became the Mayor of Kilkenny City. The mayor is the main leader of a city. They work to make decisions that help the city's people and services. This was a big honor and showed how much people trusted him.
Leading the County Council
John Francis was also the very first chairman of the Kilkenny County Council. A county council is a group of people who make decisions for a whole county. Being the first chairman meant he helped set up how the council would work. He also worked as an auditor for the National Bank. This meant he checked the bank's financial records to make sure everything was correct.
John Francis Smithwick in Parliament
From 1880 to 1886, John Francis Smithwick served in the national government. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Kilkenny City. An MP is a person elected by the people to represent them in the country's main law-making body, called Parliament.
Supporting Home Rule
John Francis was part of a group called the Home Rule League. This group wanted Ireland to have more control over its own laws and government. At that time, Ireland was part of the United Kingdom. The Home Rule League believed Ireland should be able to make more of its own decisions.
A Moment in Parliament
He was a strong supporter of a famous Irish leader named Charles Stewart Parnell. In 1881, there was a big political event in Parliament. John Francis Smithwick was one of 32 members who were asked to leave the meeting on 3 February 1881. This happened during a time of strong political debate about Ireland's future. It showed his dedication to the cause of Home Rule.
Legacy of John Francis Smithwick
John Francis Smithwick was a key figure in Kilkenny. He used his business skills and political roles to serve his community and country. He is remembered for his leadership in both business and government.
