Senator from the Eighteenth district, composed of the counties of Cass and Shelby, was born on "Soap Creek" in Appanoose county, Iowa, September 30, 1854. His father was born in Ohio and his mother in West Virginia. His great grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Smith was raised on a farm in Davis county and secured his early education in the Southern Iowa Normal School at Bloomfield. He taught country school for five years and in 1878 was admitted to the practice of law, and moved to Harlan, where he has since resided. He served as city solicitor of Harlan for two years and was the first county attorney of Shelby county, serving as such for two years. He was president and member of the Harlan school board for one term. Has always taken an active interest in politics and served as chairman of the republican county central committee for two years. He was the republican nominee for senator in the Cass-Shelby district in 1897, but was defeated by Dr. J. M. Emmert, the democratic candidate, by 11 votes. Elected senator in 1910. A republican in politics.

Senator from the Eighteenth District, composed of the counties of Cass and Shelby, was born on "Soap Creek" in Appanoose county, Iowa, September 30, 1854. His father was born in Ohio and his mother in West Virginia. His great grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Smith was raised on a farm in Davis county and secured his early education in the Southern Iowa Normal School at Bloomfield. He taught country school for five years and in 1878 was admitted to the practice of law, and moved to Harlan where he has since resided. He served as city solicitor of Harlan for two years and was the first county attorney of Shelby county; serving as such for two years. He was president and member of the Harlan School Board for one term. Has always taken an active interest in politics and served as chairman of the Republican county central committee for two years. He was the Republican nominee for Senator in the Cass-Shelby District in 1897, but was defeated by Dr. J. M. Emmert, the democratic candidate, by 11 votes. Elected Senator in 1910. A Republican in politics.