William Robert Smith
Encyclopedia
William Robert Smith was a United States
representative from Texas and a United States federal judge
.
Born in Smith County, Texas
, Smith graduated from the Sam Houston Normal Institute in Huntsville, Texas
in 1883. He read law in 1885 and was admitted to the Texas bar, beginning the practice of law in Tyler, Texas
. He moved to Colorado, Texas
in 1888, where he continued to practice law. In 1897, he became a judge of the 32nd Judicial District of Texas. In 1903, he resigned as judge to become a United States representative for Texas and served from March 4, 1903 to March 4, 1917.
In 1916, Smith was defeated for renomination to his seat. He moved to El Paso, Texas
in October and resumed the practice of law. This practice was cut short when, on April 11, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson
nominated Smith to a newly created seat in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
. Smith was confirmed by the United States Senate
, and received his commission, on April 12, 1917. He served until his death in El Paso.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
representative from Texas and a United States federal judge
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Smith County, Texas
Smith County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 174,706 people, 65,692 households, and 46,904 families residing in the county. The population density was 188 people per square mile . There were 71,701 housing units at an average density of 77 per square mile...
, Smith graduated from the Sam Houston Normal Institute in Huntsville, Texas
Huntsville, Texas
Huntsville is a city in and the county seat of Walker County, Texas, United States. The population was 35,508 at the 2010 census. It is the center of the Huntsville micropolitan area....
in 1883. He read law in 1885 and was admitted to the Texas bar, beginning the practice of law in Tyler, Texas
Tyler, Texas
Tyler is a city in and the county seat of Smith County, Texas, in the United States. It takes its name from President John Tyler . The city had a population of 109,000 in 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau...
. He moved to Colorado, Texas
Colorado, Texas
Colorado is an unincorporated community in Bastrop County, Texas, United States. Its elevation is 351 feet .-References:...
in 1888, where he continued to practice law. In 1897, he became a judge of the 32nd Judicial District of Texas. In 1903, he resigned as judge to become a United States representative for Texas and served from March 4, 1903 to March 4, 1917.
In 1916, Smith was defeated for renomination to his seat. He moved to El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
in October and resumed the practice of law. This practice was cut short when, on April 11, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
nominated Smith to a newly created seat in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
The United States District Court For the Western District Of Texas is a Federal district court. The court convenes in San Antonio with divisions in Austin, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland, Pecos, and Waco. It has jurisdiction in over 50 Trans-Pecos, Permian Basin and Hill Country counties of the U.S....
. Smith was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, and received his commission, on April 12, 1917. He served until his death in El Paso.