Summary
George Luke Smith (December 11, 1837 – July 9, 1884) was from 1873 to 1875 a one-term U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 4th congressional district, which encompasses the state's third largest city, Shreveport, Louisiana. He previously served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
George Luke Smith | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 4th district | |
| In office November 24, 1873 – March 3, 1875 | |
| Preceded by | Alexander Boarman |
| Succeeded by | William M. Levy |
| Louisiana State Representative for Caddo Parish | |
| In office 1870–1872 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 11, 1837 New Boston, New Hampshire |
| Died | July 9, 1884 (aged 46) Hot Springs, Arkansas |
| Resting place | West Street Cemetery, Milford, New Hampshire |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Union College |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
Early life and education edit
Born in New Boston in Hillsborough County in southern New Hampshire, Smith completed preparatory studies and attended Union College in Schenectady, New York.
Civil War edit
During the American Civil War, he served in the Union Army.
At the close of the war, he relocated to Shreveport to engage in mercantile pursuits.
Political career edit
He served from 1870 to 1872 as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives during Reconstruction.
He was the proprietor of Shreveport Southwestern Telegram and president of the Shreveport Savings Bank & Trust Company.
Congress edit
Smith was elected as a Republican to the Forty-third Congress to fill the vacancy created by the death of Representative-elect Samuel Peters and served from November 24, 1873, until March 3, 1875.
Considered a Carpetbagger, Smith was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1874 to the Forty-fourth Congress and was succeeded by the Democrat William M. Levy.
Later career edit
Thereafter, Smith was appointed collector of customs at the port of New Orleans by U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, a position that he held from May 4, 1878, to February 20, 1879. He moved to Hot Springs, Hot Springs, Arkansas, to engage in the real estate business until his death there.
He died in 1884 and is interred at the West Street Cemetery in Milford, New Hampshire.
Legacy edit
Smith was the last Republican to hold the 4th district House seat in Louisiana until 1988, when Jim McCrery won a special election for the position to succeed Buddy Roemer who was elected governor of Louisiana the preceding year.
External links edit
- United States Congress. "George Luke Smith (id: S000539)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
