Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He grew up in Albany, New York, and graduated from Union College in 1861. Smith served in the Civil War as a recruiting officer, and then taught school at Albany Academy. He then went into the newspaper business, serving as editor of the Albany Express from 1865 to 1870 and editor in chief of the Albany Journal from 1876 to 1880. From 1879 to 1880 he was a Regent of the University of the State of New York. In 1880 Smith relocated to Philadelphia where he was part owner and editor of the Philadelphia Press. He was an active Republican, serving as a delegate to several state and national conventions. From 1890 to 1892 he was Minister to Russia, taking active steps to help combat a major famine. President William McKinley appointed him United States Postmaster General in 1898, and he continued to serve after Theodore Roosevelt became President. He left the cabinet in 1902 and returned to his newspaper in Philadelphia.
Presidential Cabinet Secretary. He grew up in Albany, New York, and graduated from Union College in 1861. Smith served in the Civil War as a recruiting officer, and then taught school at Albany Academy. He then went into the newspaper business, serving as editor of the Albany Express from 1865 to 1870 and editor in chief of the Albany Journal from 1876 to 1880. From 1879 to 1880 he was a Regent of the University of the State of New York. In 1880 Smith relocated to Philadelphia where he was part owner and editor of the Philadelphia Press. He was an active Republican, serving as a delegate to several state and national conventions. From 1890 to 1892 he was Minister to Russia, taking active steps to help combat a major famine. President William McKinley appointed him United States Postmaster General in 1898, and he continued to serve after Theodore Roosevelt became President. He left the cabinet in 1902 and returned to his newspaper in Philadelphia.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
