George Washington Smith

Who was George Washington Smith?

George Washington Smith was a U.S. Representative from Illinois.

Born in Putnam County, Ohio, Smith moved with his father to Wayne County, Illinois, in 1850. Learned the blacksmith trade. He also attended the common schools. In 1868 he graduated from the literary department of McKendree College. After this he studied law in Fairfield, Illinois.

He then went to Indiana University where he received a law degree in 1870. He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Murphysboro, Illinois. He served as master in chancery 1880-1888.

Smith was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-first and to the nine succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1889, until his death in Murphysboro, Illinois, November 30, 1907, before the convening of the Sixtieth Congress. He served as chairman of the Committee on Private Land Claims. He was interred in the City Cemetery.