John Speed SMITH, Congress, KY (1792-1854)

SMITH, John Speed, (father of Green Clay Smith), a Representative from Kentucky; born near Nicholasville, Jessamine County, Ky., July 1, 1792; attended a private school in Mercer County; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1812 and commenced practice in Richmond, Ky.; during the War of 1812 enlisted as a private, and subsequently promoted to major; aide-de-camp to General Harrison with the rank of colonel; member of the state house of representatives in 1819; 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; was not a candidate for renomination in 1822; again a member of the state house of representatives in 1827, 1830, 1839, 1841, and 1845, and served as speaker in 1827; United States district attorney for Kentucky 1828-1832; member of the state senate 1846-1850; died in Richmond, Ky., June 6, 1854; interment in Richmond Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present