James Y. Smith

James Youngs Smith (September 15, 1809 – March 26, 1876) was an American politician and the 29th Governor of Rhode Island (May 26, 1863 – May 29, 1866).

James Y. Smith
Official Rhode Island State House portrait by James Sullivan Lincoln
29th Governor of Rhode Island
In office
May 26, 1863  May 29, 1866
Lieutenant GovernorSeth Padelford
Preceded byWilliam C. Cozzens
Succeeded byAmbrose Burnside
6th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island
In office
June 1855  June 1857
Preceded byEdward P. Knowles
Succeeded byWilliam M. Rodman
Personal details
Born
James Youngs Smith

(1809-09-15)September 15, 1809
Groton, Connecticut, US
DiedMarch 26, 1876(1876-03-26) (aged 66)
Providence, Rhode Island, US[1]
Resting placeSwan Point Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Emily Brown
ProfessionBusinessman

Early life

Smith was born in Poquonock Village in Groton, Connecticut, to Amos D. Smith and Priscilla (Mitchell) Smith. His mother was descended from Mayflower passengers John Alden and Priscilla Mullens.[1]

Smith was a store manager in Salem, Connecticut, at the age of sixteen.[2] Next year, he moved to Providence, Rhode Island, where he worked for a lumber business that he became the owner of a decade later. He sold this business to start a manufacturing business with his brother Amos D. Smith, and with their A.D. & J.Y. Smith Mills they became the leading textile investors in the state. James Y. Smith. They owned mills in both Connecticut and Rhode Island.

On August 13, 1835, he married Emily Brown, daughter of Thomas Brown, a cotton manufacturer in Scituate. Smith then branched out from lumber to investing in cotton mills. They had two daughters and one son.[1]

Political career

Smith was active in politics as a Republican. He was Mayor of Providence for two one-year terms from 1855 to 1857. He was a member of the House of Representatives of Rhode Island. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1861, but won in the election two years later. He succeeded William C. Cozzens on May 26, 1863. He was reelected two times, then declined to run again. He was succeeded by fellow Republican and Civil war general Ambrose Burnside on May 29, 1866.

Later years

Smith's memorial in Swan Point Cemetery

After leaving office, Smith founded the James Y. Smith Manufacturing Company. He continued as a manufacturer until his death in 1876. He was also involved in various enterprises; then was president of the Providence Board of Trade; director of the Providence and Worcester Railway Company; and a member of five commissions in the city government. He was chairman of the commission to build the new Providence City Hall.[1]

His death occasioned great public mourning in Providence. Public offices were closed, and a funeral procession of mourners in carriages and on foot followed the body to its resting place in Swan Point Cemetery.[1]

Sources

  • Sobel, Robert and John Raimo. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978. Greenwood Press, 1988. ISBN 0-313-28093-2

References

  1. The Biographical Cyclopedia of Representative Men of Rhode Island. Providence: National Biographical Publishing Co. 1881. pp. 359–360.
  2. National Governors Association, Rhode Island Governor James Youngs Smith.
Party political offices
Preceded by
Seth Padelford
Republican nominee for Governor of Rhode Island
1861
Vacant
Title next held by
Himself
Vacant
Title last held by
Himself
Republican nominee for Governor of Rhode Island
1863, 1864, 1865
Succeeded by
Ambrose Burnside
Political offices
Preceded by
Edward P. Knowles
Mayor of Providence
1855-1857
Succeeded by
William M. Rodman
Preceded by
William C. Cozzens
Governor of Rhode Island
1863–1866
Succeeded by
Ambrose Burnside
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