Samuel Axley SMITH, Congress, TN (1822-1863)

1822-1863

SMITH, Samuel Axley, a Representative from Tennessee; born in Monroe County, Tenn., June 26, 1822; received a limited education; taught school; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1845 and commenced practice in Cleveland, Tenn.; district attorney general 1845-1850; delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1848; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, and Thirty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1853-March 3, 1859); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1858 to the Thirty-sixth Congress; appointed by President Buchanan to be Commissioner of the General Land Office and served from January 18 to February 12, 1860, when he resigned; appointed by the Governor of the State of Tennessee on November 16, 1861, an agent to collect arms for the Confederate Army; died at Ladd Springs, Polk County, Tenn., November 25, 1863; interment in Amos Ladd’s Burial Ground.

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