George Luke Smith

Who was George Luke Smith?

George Luke Smith was a U.S. Representative from Louisiana's 4th congressional district, which encompasses the state's third largest city, Shreveport, Louisiana.

Born in New Boston in Hillsborough County in southern New Hampshire, Smith completed preparatory studies and attended Union College, Schenectady, New York.

During the American Civil War, he served in the Union Army. At the close of the war, he relocated to Shreveport and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1870 to 1872. He served as proprietor of the Shreveport Southwestern Telegram. He served as president of the Shreveport Savings Bank & Trust Company.

Smith was elected as a Republican to the Forty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Representative-elect Samuel Peters and served from November 24, 1873, until March 3, 1875. Considered a Carpetbagger, Smith was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress and was succeeded for one term by the Democrat William M. Levy.

Thereafter, Smith was appointed collector of customs at the port of New Orleans by U.S. President Rutherford B.