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 byGeorge Robertson
Succeeded byThomas Patrick Moore
Personal details
Born(1792-07-01)July 1, 1792
Jessamine County, Kentucky
DiedJune 6, 1854(1854-06-06) (aged 61)
Richmond, Kentucky
Resting placeRichmond Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic-Republican
ChildrenGreen Clay Smith
ProfessionLawyer
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1812–1814
RankColonel
Battles/warsWar of 1812

Early life, education and military service

Born 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.

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.

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.[1] Their several children included Sally Ann Lewis Smith (1818-1875),[1] 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.[2]

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.[2]

Political career

John Speed Smith was elected to the state house of representatives in 1819, serving one term.

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.

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. He was appointed as United States district attorney for Kentucky, serving 1828-1832.

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.

Smith died in Richmond, Kentucky, June 6, 1854, and was interred in Richmond Cemetery.

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References
  1. "KOAR's Russian Connection", Kentucky Online Arts Resource Blog, 15 October 2012
  2. Thomas Speed, Records and Memorials of the Speed Family, Courier-Journal Job Printing Company, 1892, pp. 88-89
  • 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.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Samuel McKee		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Kentucky's 7th congressional district
1821-1823		 Succeeded by
Thomas Patrick Moore
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