James M. Smith
James M. Smith Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Recorder of New York City | |
| In office January 1, 1855 – December 31, 1857 | |
| Preceded by | Francis R. Tillou |
| Succeeded by | George G. Barnard |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1810 New Baltimore, New York |
| Died | June 5, 1898 (aged 87–88) Manhattan, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
James M. Smith Jr(ca. 1810 – June 5, 1898) was an American lawyer and politician fromNew York.
Background[edit]
Smith was born inNew Baltimore, New Yorkcirca 1810.
In November 1854, he was elected on theDemocraticticket (a fusion ofHards and Softs) asRecorder of New York City,defeating the incumbentFrancis R. Tillou.Upon thecreation of the Metropolitan Policein 1857, Recorder Smith became one of the commissioners of the Police Board, along with MayorFernando Woodand City Judge Sydney H. Stuart. When Mayor Wood resisted the new police force, maintaining the abolished Municipal Police instead, Smith issued a warrant for the arrest of the mayor, which led to theNew York City Police Riot.In October 1857, Smith was defeated for re-nomination on theTammanyticket byGeorge G. Barnard.
Later Smith left Tammany Hall, and joined the Anti-Tammany Democratic organizations in New York City, likeMozart HallandIrving Hall.In 1872, Smith was nominated forNew York County District Attorneyon the "National Democratic" ticket.
Personal life[edit]
Smith married Emily F. Sherman, and they had eleven children. In the summer of 1896, his wife died in ahorse-carriageaccident. Smith then retired from the bar, sold his home and moved into a boarding house. Smith died from "rheumatic gout" inManhattan.He was buried in the Sherman family plot inNew Baltimore, New York.
Sources[edit]
- The New York Civil Listcompiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (page 428; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858)
- CITY POLITICS;...Soft-Shell Judiciary Conventionin NYT on October 12, 1854
- City Nominations for Congress, Assembly, and City and County Officesin NYT on November 1, 1854
- Democratic primary Nominationsin NYT on October 17, 1857
- THE PEACE DEMOCRACYin NYT on May 8, 1863
- POLITICAL BREVITIESin NYT on October 16, 1872
- IRVING HALL DEMOCRATSin NYT on February 24, 1882
- DEATH OF FRANK SHERMAN SMITHin NYT on April 6, 1885
- JAMES M. SMITH DEADin NYT on June 6, 1898