William Smyth (congressman)

William Smyth (January 3, 1824 – September 30, 1870) was a nineteenth-century politician, lawyer and judge from Iowa.

William Smyth
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1869 – September 30, 1870
Preceded by	Hiram Price
Succeeded by	William P. Wolf
Personal details
Born	January 3, 1824 Eden, Ireland
Died	September 30, 1870 (aged 46) Marion, Iowa, USA
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Mary Brier Smyth
Profession	Politician, Lawyer, Judge

Born in Eden, Ireland, Smyth attended rural schools as a child, completed preparatory studies and immigrated to the United States with his parents in 1838, settling in Pennsylvania. He moved to Iowa in 1844, attended the University of Iowa, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1847, commencing practice in Marion, Iowa. Smyth served as prosecuting attorney of Linn County, Iowa from 1848 to 1853 and was appointed judge of the district court for the fourth judicial district of Iowa in 1853, serving until 1857. He resumed practicing law and in 1858 served as chairman of the commission to codify and revise the Iowa State laws. During the Civil War, he served as colonel of the 31st Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment for two years.

Smyth was elected a Republican to represent Iowa's 2nd congressional district the United States House of Representatives in 1868, serving from March 1869 until his death in Marion, Iowa on September 30, 1870 while running for reelection.[1] He was interred in Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)

References

1. "Death of Congressman Smyth," Dubuque Daily Herald, 1870-10-01 at p. 1.

External links

• United States Congress. "William Smyth (id: S000648)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved on 2008-02-15
• "William Smyth". Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-02-15.