42nd Governor of Missouri. Smith attended Woodson Institute and Westminster College. In 1910, he became a deputy assessor for Ray County, Missouri. Four years later, he was elected county clerk which he held for eight years. Afterwards, he served on the Missouri state tax commission from 1925 until 1932 when he was elected state auditor. After sixteen years in this position, he was elected governor in 1948. Unfortunately his election as governor was tainted by the possible involvement of organized crime and specifically, mobster Charlie Binaggio. Supposedly, Binaggio sold gamblers with the promise that a Smith election would open up the state and contributions came pouring in. This also tainted the relationship between Smith and the national Democratic Party. He retired from public life after his term ended in 1953. His approval of the 1951 Municipal Land Clearance for Redevelopment law greatly improved the public infrastructure. Forest Lake in Thousand Hills State Park is named after him.
42nd Governor of Missouri. Smith attended Woodson Institute and Westminster College. In 1910, he became a deputy assessor for Ray County, Missouri. Four years later, he was elected county clerk which he held for eight years. Afterwards, he served on the Missouri state tax commission from 1925 until 1932 when he was elected state auditor. After sixteen years in this position, he was elected governor in 1948. Unfortunately his election as governor was tainted by the possible involvement of organized crime and specifically, mobster Charlie Binaggio. Supposedly, Binaggio sold gamblers with the promise that a Smith election would open up the state and contributions came pouring in. This also tainted the relationship between Smith and the national Democratic Party. He retired from public life after his term ended in 1953. His approval of the 1951 Municipal Land Clearance for Redevelopment law greatly improved the public infrastructure. Forest Lake in Thousand Hills State Park is named after him.
Bio by: Winter Birds PA
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