William Smyth (congressman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Smyth
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 2nd district |
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| In office March 4, 1869 – September 30, 1870 |
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| Preceded by | Hiram Price |
| Succeeded by | William P. Wolf |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 3, 1824 Eden, Ireland |
| Died | September 30, 1870 (aged 46) Marion, Iowa, USA |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Brier Smyth |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer, Judge |
William Smyth (born January 3, 1824 – died September 30, 1870) was an important person in the 1800s. He was a lawyer, a judge, and a politician from Iowa. He helped shape laws and served his country.
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William Smyth's Early Life
William Smyth was born in a place called Eden, in Ireland, on January 3, 1824. As a child, he went to schools in the countryside. In 1838, when he was about 14 years old, he moved to the United States with his parents. They settled in Pennsylvania.
Moving to Iowa
In 1844, William Smyth moved to Iowa. He went to the University of Iowa to study law. He worked hard and became a lawyer in 1847. He started his law practice in Marion, Iowa.
William Smyth's Career
William Smyth had a busy and important career. He held several key positions in Iowa.
Becoming a Lawyer and Judge
From 1848 to 1853, Smyth worked as the prosecuting attorney for Linn County, Iowa. A prosecuting attorney is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to bring legal cases against people accused of breaking the law.
In 1853, he was chosen to be a judge for the district court in Iowa. He served as a judge until 1857. After that, he went back to working as a lawyer. In 1858, he led a group that helped organize and update all of Iowa's state laws.
Serving in the Civil War
During the American Civil War, William Smyth served as a colonel. A colonel is a high-ranking officer in the army. He led the 31st Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment for two years. This was a very important role during a difficult time in American history.
A Career in Congress
In 1868, William Smyth was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was a member of the Republican Party. He represented Iowa's 2nd congressional district. He started serving in March 1869.
Sadly, William Smyth passed away on September 30, 1870. He died in Marion, Iowa, while he was running for re-election. He was buried in Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.
