SMITH, James M., 
Union (then Caddo) Parish, Louisiana

Submitted by Mike Miller



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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.

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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.

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