Clarence W. Smith

Clarence W. Smith (October 19, 1855 – June 24, 1937) was an American lawyer, judge, and politician from New York.

Clarence W. Smith
Member of the New York State Assembly
In office 1902–1903
Preceded by	William Harris
Succeeded by	Frank C. Wood
Constituency	Fulton and Hamilton Counties
Mayor of Johnstown, New York
In office 1914–1915
In office 1918–1919
Personal details
Born	(1855-10-19)October 19, 1855 Jay, New York, U.S.
Died	June 24, 1937(1937-06-24) (aged 81) Mount Stewart, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Cora Bruce
Alma mater	University of Michigan Law School
Profession	Lawyer, Judge

Early life and education

Smith was born on October 19, 1855, in Jay, New York, the son of Eli Smith, a blacksmith,^[1] and Mary Atwood.^[2]

Smith initially worked as an assistant for his father and became a teacher at 19. He later attended the academy in Elizabethtown. In 1877, he began studying at the University of Michigan Law School, where he earned his LL.B. and was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1879. After a brief trip west, he returned to Jay. In 1882, he moved to Wells and taught school.^[1] After reading law under T. D. Trumbull of Jay, he was admitted to the New York bar in 1883. A few months later, he was elected county judge. After his term as judge expired in 1890, he moved to Johnstown and practiced law with Philip Keck.^[3]

Political career

In 1901, Smith was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Republican, representing Fulton and Hamilton Counties. He served in the Assembly in 1902^[4] and 1903.^[5] He was later elected mayor of Johnstown, serving from 1914 to 1915 and again from 1918 to 1919. He also served as city attorney for many years, retiring in 1930 at the age of 75.^[2]

Personal life

In 1881, Smith married Cora Bruce of Jay.^[1] They had one daughter, Mrs. Marion McDonald. Smith was a member of the Freemasons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.^[2]

Later in life, while living with his sister Sarah Fletcher in Bloomingdale, Smith suffered a stroke. His daughter Marion then brought him to her home in Mount Stewart, Prince Edward Island, Canada, where he spent the last several weeks of his life. He died at Marion's home on June 24, 1937.^[2] He was buried in the Central Cemetery in Jay.

References

1. Frothingham, Washington, ed. (1892). "Part II: Family Sketches". History of Fulton County. Syracuse, N.Y.: D. Mason & Co. p. 126. ISBN 9780598485854 – via Google Books.
2. "Judge Smith Dies at Home of Daughter in Canada, 83" (PDF). The Morning Herald. Vol. XLI, no. 77. Gloversville and Johnstown, N.Y. 25 June 1937. p. 21 – via Old Fulton NY Postcards.
3. Frothingham, Washington, ed. (1892). History of Fulton County. Syracuse, N.Y.: D. Mason & Co. p. 199. ISBN 9780598485854 – via Google Books.
4. Murlin, Edgar L. (1902). The New York Red Book. Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company. pp. 170–171 – via Google Books.
5. Murlin, Edgar L. (1903). The New York Red Book. Albany, N.Y.: J. B. Lyon Company. p. 179 – via Google Books.

External links

• The Political Graveyard
• Clarence W. Smith at Find a Grave

New York State Assembly
Preceded by William Harris	New York State Assembly Fulton and Hamilton Counties 1902–1903	Succeeded by Frank C. Wood