US Congressman. He graduated from the parochial schools of Philadelphia and attended St. Joseph's College before enlisting for World War II. Smith served in the Army from 1942 to 1945, received the Purple Heart, and attained the rank of Sergeant. He then began a career as an accountant and became involved in politics as leader of the Democratic party in Philadelphia's 31st Ward. From 1965 to 1970 he was Administrative Assistant to Congressman James Byrne. In 1970 Smith was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate, where he served until 1981 and became Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. In 1981 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination in a special election for the seat in the US House that was left vacant when Raymond F. Lederer resigned. Smith then obtained the Republican nomination, won the special general election, was seated as a Democrat and served the unexpired portion of Lederer's term, July, 1981 to January, 1983. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1982, but in 1983 won election as Chairman of Philadelphia's Democratic party, serving until 1986, and afterwards living in retirement in Philadelphia. In 2000 the Kensington Station post office on Philadelphia's Frankford Avenue was renamed in his honor.
US Congressman. He graduated from the parochial schools of Philadelphia and attended St. Joseph's College before enlisting for World War II. Smith served in the Army from 1942 to 1945, received the Purple Heart, and attained the rank of Sergeant. He then began a career as an accountant and became involved in politics as leader of the Democratic party in Philadelphia's 31st Ward. From 1965 to 1970 he was Administrative Assistant to Congressman James Byrne. In 1970 Smith was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate, where he served until 1981 and became Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. In 1981 he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination in a special election for the seat in the US House that was left vacant when Raymond F. Lederer resigned. Smith then obtained the Republican nomination, won the special general election, was seated as a Democrat and served the unexpired portion of Lederer's term, July, 1981 to January, 1983. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1982, but in 1983 won election as Chairman of Philadelphia's Democratic party, serving until 1986, and afterwards living in retirement in Philadelphia. In 2000 the Kensington Station post office on Philadelphia's Frankford Avenue was renamed in his honor.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Advertisement
See more Smith memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
