Fred J. Smith

Fred J. Smith (died October 19, 1988) was a state legislator in Illinois. He served numerous terms in the Illinois House and them the Illinois Senate.^[1]

Biography

His date and place of birth are contended. According to his obituary Smith was born Chattanooga, Tennessee and born circa 1898 or 1899 being aged 89 at his death in 1988.^[2] Another source claims that he was born April 14, 1892 on a farm near Kosse, Texas and both of his parents were enslaved.^[3] The Journal of the Senate in 1989 says he was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee but on July 4, 1893.^[4]

A Democrat, Smith was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1942 to serve the 3rd district and served from 1943 to 1955.^[5] He was elected to the Illinois Senate in 1954 serving from 1955 to 1979 representing the 3rd, then 11th and finally the 22nd districts.^[5]

He was married to Margaret Smith who was also a member of the Illinois Senate.^[2]

Smith died October 19, 1988, aged 89 at his home in Illinois.^[2]

References

1. Hebel, Jennifer (September 27, 2019). "African American Legislators in Illinois, 1876-2019" (PDF). Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
2. "Fred J Smith Obituary (October 22, 1988)". Chicago Tribune. 22 October 1988. p. 6. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
3. Williams, Erma Brooks (2008). Political Empowerment of Illinois' African-American State Lawmakers from 1877 to 2005. University Press of America. p. 18-19. ISBN 978-0-7618-4018-3. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
4. Senate, Illinois General Assembly (1989). "Journal of the Senate". General Assembly. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
5. "African American Legislators in Illinois 1876-2005" (PDF). Illinois General Assembly Legislative Research Unit. February 2006. Retrieved 28 July 2023.