SMITH, James M., Union (then Caddo) Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Mike Miller ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 403-403. Edited by Alcee Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Smith, Hon. James Monroe, planter, banker, and man of varied business interests, Shreveport, La., was born at Farmerville, Union parish, La., Feb. 6, 1857; son of William C. and Elizabeth (Manning) Smith, both of whom were natives of the state of Alabama. The families of both parents removed from Alabama to Union parish, La., about the year 1840. The marriage of the parents took place in Union parish and they remained residents of that locality throughout their lives. The paternal grandfather, John Smith, was a native of Culpepper county Va., and among the early settlers of Louisiana. The maternal grandfather, James Clark Manning, was a native of the state of Georgia, and came to Louisiana about the year 1840. James Monroe Smith is the eldest of 4 children, two sons and 2 daughters, born to his parents. His youngest sister, Florence, now the wife of L. E. Thomas of Shreveport, and himself, are the only survivors of the family at this time. His childhood and youth were passed in Union parish, where he attended the public schools and later Louisiana state university. In 1879, when he was only 22 years of age, he was elected clerk of court of Union parish under the constitution of 1879, being at that time the youngest parish court clerk in the state. He was repeatedly re‰lected and remained incumbent of that office until 1900, when he was elected a member of the Louisiana state senate from the senatorial district composed of Union, Morehouse, West Carroll and Lincoln parishes. He served in the senate until appointed registrar of the land office to succeed John S. Lanier, in which capacity he served one term, and in 1904 was elected treasurer of the state of Louisiana. In 1908, at the expiration of his term as state treasurer, he removed to Shreveport, where he has since resided. Mr. Smith served 12 years as a member of the board of supervisors of Louisiana state university. He was one of the original organizers of the Ruston state bank and also the Farmerville state bank, being now a member of the board of directors of each of these institutions. He is also a member of the board of directors and vice-president of the Continental Bank & Trust Co., of Shreveport, and a member, respectively, of the insurance firm of Smith & Bransford and the Lyon Realty Co. He also owns and operates a plantation in Bossier parish, and has variety of other interests and associations in the city of Shreveport. Mr. Smith is affiliated with the First Baptist church of Shreveport and is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Woodmen of the World. He has taken an active part in public affairs during many years past, and in recent years has entered actively into political campaigns, canvassing the state and speaking in the interest of the nominees of the democratic party, and is at all times found in line with any really progressive movement directed toward the betterment of living conditions for the people of Louisiana, or the nation, being especially devoted to the interests of Shreveport and North Louisiana. He has been active in bringing his part of the state into the present state of splendid development and prosperity it now enjoys. Mr. Smith has been twice married Oct. 15, 1885, he was married to Miss May Olive Kidd, and to their union 4 children were born, only 2 of whom survive at this time, these being Lois May, now the wife of Dr. J. A. Hendrick of Shreveport, and James M., Jr., at this time attending Louisiana state university. The mother of these children died in Feb., 1895. Jan. 6., 1898 Mr. Smith was married to Miss Eva M. Slaton, of Ruston, La. # # #