William Jay Smith (Tennessee politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Jay Smith
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Tennessee's 8th district |
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| In office March 4, 1869 – March 3, 1871 |
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| Preceded by | David A. Nunn |
| Succeeded by | William W. Vaughan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 24, 1823 Birmingham, England |
| Died | November 29, 1913 (aged 90) Memphis, Tennessee |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Ann Ross Smith |
| Profession | Printer, surveyor, soldier, realtor, banker |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army Union Army |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Commands | 6th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
William Jay Smith (September 24, 1823 – November 29, 1913) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives for Tennessee's 8th congressional district.
Biography
Smith was born in Birmingham, England on September 24, 1823, and immigrated to the United States and settled in Orange County, New York. He attended the common schools, and after he had learned the printing trade, he moved to Tennessee in 1846.
Career
During the Mexican–American War, in 1847, Smith served in a regiment from Tennessee. He moved to Hardeman County, Tennessee, and engaged in horticulture.
In the American Civil War, Smith served as Colonel of the 6th Tennessee Cavalry Regiment in the Union Army from 1861 to 1865; and was brevetedt Brigadier General for his services. He was a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1865. He was a member of the State house of representatives from 1865 to 1867. He also served in the State senate from 1867 to 1869, and again from 1885 to 1887. He was a surveyor of the port of Memphis, Tennessee from 1871 to 1883.
Elected as a Republican to the Forty-first Congress, Smith served from March 4, 1869 to March 3, 1871. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he engaged in the real estate and banking businesses. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1876.
Death
Smith died in Memphis, on November 29, 1913 (age 90 years, 66 days). He is interred at Elmwood Cemetery, in Memphis.
