Walt & Terri Sterneman's Family Pages

Madison Roswell Smith

Person Chart

Parents

Father	Date of Birth	Mother	Date of Birth
Andrew Jackson Smith	Dec 1825	Barbara Vienna Caroline Kinder	09 Dec 1826

Partners

Partner	Date of Birth	Children
Nancy Ann Leech	05 Jan 1861	Melbourne Smith Alma Smith William Taylor Smith Bessie Smith Barbara Smith Nancy Leech Smith

Person Events

Event Type	Date	Place	Description
Birth	09 Jul 1850	Glenallen, Bollinger County, Missouri
Degree	1874		Admitted to Bar, Marble Hill
Marriage	12 Jan 1881	Sedalia, Missouri
Formal Education			Central College, Fayette, Missouri
Occupation			Law and Politics
Death	18 Jun 1919	Farmington, St. Francois County, Missouri

Notes


Taken from "History of Southeast Missouri," page 746. Melbourne Smith is a native son of Missouri, his birth having occurred at Marble Hill, Bollinger county, on December 9, 1882. He is the son of that well-known statesman and lawyer, Madison R. Smith, member of Congress from the Thirteenth District of Missouri. The elder gentleman was born July 9, 1850, at Glenallen, Bollinger County, Missouri, and received his preliminary education in the public, schools, later entering Central College at Fayette, and preparing for the law under Louis Houck, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was admitted to the bar at Marble Hill in 1874 and he was united in marriage to Nannie Leech of Cape Girardeau January 12, 1881. To this union five children were born, namely: Melbourne, Alma, Taylor, Bab and Buntie. The family removed to Farmington about the year 1888 and there the head of the house engaged in the practice of law. An able man and one of high ideals of citizenship, he soon received marked political preferment, representing his district in the state Senate from 1887until 1891 and giving most loyal and efficient service to his constituents. He acted as reporter of the St. Louis Court of Appeals from 1901 until 1904 and in 1907 reached the zenith of his career, going as representative of the Thirteenth Missouri District to the Sixtieth Congress, his tenure of office lasting from 1907 to 1909. The son, Mr. Smith, is a stanch supporter of the principles of Democracy and he is a prominent Mason. The religious faith of the family is that of the Southern Methodist church. Madison R. Smith is at the present time counsel for the Federal Trust Company of St. Louis and he also acts in the same capacity for the Houck Railroads. He is located at Farmington at the present time. ********************************************************************* Taken from page 30 and 31 of an unknown source: For sometime it has been generally known that Hon. M. R. Smith of this (St. Francois) county would be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Judge of the St. Louis Court of Appeals, and the Times wishes to supplement his candidacy with its indorsement and support. We have known Mr. Smith for several years, and have no hesitancy in testifying to his high moral and mental attainment as a citizen and lawyer, who would honor the position to which he aspires. M. R. Smith was born in Bollinger County, Missouri, in 1850. He was educated at Central College, Fayette, Mo., and admitted to the practice of law in 1874. He served as Prosecuting Attorney of Bollinger County for nearly four years, in which position hedischarged his duties with faithfulness and impartiality. In 1886, while still a resident of Bollinger County, he was elected to the State Senate from this district, an while a member of that body took an ative and prominent part in all measures of importance. He was chairman of the Committee on Criminal Jurispurdence, one of the most important committees, during the revising session of 1889, the labors of which he discharged with energy and distinguished ability. There is no man of his age, perhaps, in this section of the State that outranks him as a lawyer. He loves his profession, and has with regular fidelity devoted himself to the understanding of its mysteries. His character is blameless, his energy tireless, his mind analytical and conceded to be of what the lawyers call the legal type. From his training, his love of the law, his industry and acknowledge ability, we bespeak for him a splendid career on the bench if he should be fortunate enough to attain that position. He is but forty years old-the prime of manhood-is in dead earnest, and the very man to succeed Judge Thompson, which we hope and believe he will do.-Farmington Times. The above is but a sample of the high esteem in which Mr. Smith is held where he is known. As is stated in the above clipping, the major part of Senator Smith's life has been spent in this (Bollinger) County, during which time he has been a hard student of the law. He has many friends and aquaintances here who have seen him advance from an humble school teacher to a place among the best jurists of the State, and so will be glad of the opportunity of manifesting their esteem in a practical and substantial way. In view of Mr. Smith's long residence with us; his high standing in his profession; his many sterling qualities as a gentleman; his sound Democracy and the strength he would give the ticket, we are for him, as we believe are the people of this County, andSoutheast Mo.-Marble Hill Press, March 24, 1892. ********************************************************************* Taken from "Biographies," page 1621. SMITH, Madison Roswell, a Representative from Missouri; born on a farm near Glenallen, Bollinger County, Mo., July 9, 1850; attended the public schools and Central College in Fayette, Mo.; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1874; taught school; began the practice of law at Marble Hill, Bollinger County, Mo., in 1877; prosecuting attorney of Bollinger County 1878-1882; served in the State senate 1884-1888; decided to be a candidate for reelection; served as editor of reports for the St. Louis courtof appeals for four years and resigned; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions 1896 and 1912; elected as a Democrat to the Sixteenth Congress (March 4, 1907-March 3, 1909); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1908 to the Sixty-first Congress; organizer and Secretary of the Federal Trust Co., of St. Louis, 1909-1912; minister to Haiti from 1912 until his resignation in 1914; continued the practice of his profession in Farmington, Mo., where he died June 18, 1919; interment in the Masonic Cemetery. ************************************************************************ * Taken from "Madison Roswell Smith" in "Histories of the Following Families: Andrew Jackson Smith, Madison Roswell Smith, Taylor Smith, Jr., Dr. Samuel Smith, William Scott Smith, Joseph Todd, Carl Otto Kamp, John Haydock" by Robert B. Smith. Madison Roswell Smith was born on a farm near Glenallen, Bollinger County, Missouri, July 9, 1850. He was the son of Andrew Jackson Smith and Barbara Caroline Rider Smith. His family had come to Missouri from Lincoln County, North Carolina, probably about 1800. He attended the public schools, then Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO. Because of the death of his father in 1871, he had to leave school and return home to help his mother with the farm work. In 1872 he started studying law under Louis Houck ofCape Girardeau, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He began his practice in Marble Hill, MO., in 1877, after teaching for two years. He served as Prosecuting Attorney of Bollinger County, 1878 - 1882, and in the State Senate from 1884 - 1888. He declined to be a candidate for reelection and moved his family to Farmington, Missouri about 1889. They bought a home at 419 W. Columbia. He went into law partnership with Judge William R. Taylor. During the campaign of 1900 when William Jennings Bryan was a candidate for president, Mr. Smith introduced him in St. Francois County. For four years he was a reporter for the St. Louis Court of Appeals, then resigned. He was elected as a Democrat to the Sixtieth Congress (March 4, 1907 - March 3, 1909). but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection. 1909 he was an organizer, Secretary and attorney of the Federal Trust Company, St. Louis, Missouri. He served for three years. In 1912 he was appointed minister to Haiti by President Wilson-the first white ambassador to this island. Because of failing health he resigned after three years, and continued his law practice in Farmington. He died June 18, 1919, with interment in the Masonic Cemetery. On January 12, 1881, he married Miss Nannie Haydock Leech of Cape Girardeau. They had five children: Melbourne, Alma, Taylor, Barbara, and Nancy. His politics was a Democrat; his religious affiliation, Southern Methodist; and he was a member of the Masonic Order. ************************************************************************** *

Taken from "History of Southeast Missouri," page 746.

Melbourne Smith is a native son of Missouri, his birth having occurred at Marble Hill, Bollinger county, on December 9, 1882. He is the son of that well-known statesman and lawyer, Madison R. Smith, member of Congress from the Thirteenth District of Missouri. The elder gentleman was born July 9, 1850, at Glenallen, Bollinger County, Missouri, and received his preliminary education in the public, schools, later entering Central College at Fayette, and preparing for the law under Louis Houck, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was admitted to the bar at Marble Hill in 1874 and he was united in marriage to Nannie Leech of Cape Girardeau January 12, 1881. To this union five children were born, namely: Melbourne, Alma, Taylor, Bab and Buntie. The family removed to Farmington about the year 1888 and there the head of the house engaged in the practice of law. An able man and one of high ideals of citizenship, he soon received marked political preferment, representing his district in the state Senate from 1887until 1891 and giving most loyal and efficient service to his constituents. He acted as reporter of the St. Louis Court of Appeals from 1901 until 1904 and in 1907 reached the zenith of his career, going as representative of the Thirteenth Missouri District to the Sixtieth Congress, his tenure of office lasting from 1907 to 1909. The son, Mr. Smith, is a stanch supporter of the principles of Democracy and he is a prominent Mason. The religious faith of the family is that of the Southern Methodist church. Madison R. Smith is at the present time counsel for the Federal Trust Company of St. Louis and he also acts in the same capacity for the Houck Railroads. He is located at Farmington at the present time.
***********************************************************************

Taken from page 30 and 31 of an unknown source:

For sometime it has been generally known that Hon. M. R. Smith of this (St. Francois) county would be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Judge of the St. Louis Court of Appeals, and the Times wishes to supplement his candidacy with its indorsement and support. We have known Mr. Smith for several years, and have no hesitancy in testifying to his high moral and mental attainment as a citizen and lawyer, who would honor the position to which he aspires.

M. R. Smith was born in Bollinger County, Missouri, in 1850. He was educated at Central College, Fayette, Mo., and admitted to the practice of law in 1874. He served as Prosecuting Attorney of Bollinger County for nearly four years, in which position hedischarged his duties with faithfulness and impartiality.

In 1886, while still a resident of Bollinger County, he was elected to the State Senate from this district, an while a member of that body took an ative and prominent part in all measures of importance. He was chairman of the Committee on Criminal Jurispurdence, one of the most important committees, during the revising session of 1889, the labors of which he discharged with energy and distinguished ability.

There is no man of his age, perhaps, in this section of the State that outranks him as a lawyer. He loves his profession, and has with regular fidelity devoted himself to the understanding of its mysteries. His character is blameless, his energy tireless, his mind analytical and conceded to be of what the lawyers call the legal type. From his training, his love of the law, his industry and acknowledge ability, we bespeak for him a splendid career on the bench if he should be fortunate enough to attain that position. He is but forty years old-the prime of manhood-is in dead earnest, and the very man to succeed Judge Thompson, which we hope and believe he will do.-Farmington Times.

The above is but a sample of the high esteem in which Mr. Smith is held where he is known.

As is stated in the above clipping, the major part of Senator Smith's life has been spent in this (Bollinger) County, during which time he has been a hard student of the law. He has many friends and aquaintances here who have seen him advance from an humble school teacher to a place among the best jurists of the State, and so will be glad of the opportunity of manifesting their esteem in a practical and substantial way.

In view of Mr. Smith's long residence with us; his high standing in his profession; his many sterling qualities as a gentleman; his sound Democracy and the strength he would give the ticket, we are for him, as we believe are the people of this County, andSoutheast Mo.-Marble Hill Press, March 24, 1892.
*************************************************************************

Taken from "Biographies," page 1621.

SMITH, Madison Roswell, a Representative from Missouri; born on a farm near Glenallen, Bollinger County, Mo., July 9, 1850; attended the public schools and Central College in Fayette, Mo.; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1874; taught school; began the practice of law at Marble Hill, Bollinger County, Mo., in 1877; prosecuting attorney of Bollinger County 1878-1882; served in the State senate 1884-1888; decided to be a candidate for reelection; served as editor of reports for the St. Louis courtof appeals for four years and resigned; delegate to the Democratic National Conventions 1896 and 1912; elected as a Democrat to the Sixteenth Congress (March 4, 1907-March 3, 1909); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1908 to the Sixty-first Congress; organizer and Secretary of the Federal Trust Co., of St. Louis, 1909-1912; minister to Haiti from 1912 until his resignation in 1914; continued the practice of his profession in Farmington, Mo., where he died June 18, 1919; interment in the Masonic Cemetery.
************************************************************************** *

Taken from "Madison Roswell Smith" in "Histories of the Following Families: Andrew Jackson Smith, Madison Roswell Smith, Taylor Smith, Jr., Dr. Samuel Smith, William Scott Smith, Joseph Todd, Carl Otto Kamp, John Haydock" by Robert B. Smith.

Madison Roswell Smith was born on a farm near Glenallen, Bollinger County, Missouri, July 9, 1850. He was the son of Andrew Jackson Smith and Barbara Caroline Rider Smith. His family had come to Missouri from Lincoln County, North Carolina, probably about 1800.

He attended the public schools, then Central Methodist College in Fayette, MO. Because of the death of his father in 1871, he had to leave school and return home to help his mother with the farm work. In 1872 he started studying law under Louis Houck ofCape Girardeau, and was admitted to the bar in 1874. He began his practice in Marble Hill, MO., in 1877, after teaching for two years. He served as Prosecuting Attorney of Bollinger County, 1878 - 1882, and in the State Senate from 1884 - 1888. He declined to be a candidate for reelection and moved his family to Farmington, Missouri about 1889. They bought a home at 419 W. Columbia. He went into law partnership with Judge William R. Taylor.
During the campaign of 1900 when William Jennings Bryan was a candidate for president, Mr. Smith introduced him in St. Francois County.

For four years he was a reporter for the St. Louis Court of Appeals, then resigned. He was elected as a Democrat to the Sixtieth Congress (March 4, 1907 - March 3, 1909). but was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection. 1909 he was an organizer, Secretary and attorney of the Federal Trust Company, St. Louis, Missouri. He served for three years. In 1912 he was appointed minister to Haiti by President Wilson-the first white ambassador to this island. Because of failing health he resigned after three years, and continued his law practice in Farmington. He died June 18, 1919, with interment in the Masonic Cemetery.

On January 12, 1881, he married Miss Nannie Haydock Leech of Cape Girardeau. They had five children: Melbourne, Alma, Taylor, Barbara, and Nancy.

His politics was a Democrat; his religious affiliation, Southern Methodist; and he was a member of the Masonic Order.
************************************************************************** *

Sources

Description	Quality	Information	Evidence
Family Group Sheets for Leech Family	Don't know	Don't know	Don't know
History of Southeast Missouri / Melbourne Smith, Page 746	Don't know	Don't know	Don't know
McCarty-Smith GEDCOM file	Don't know	Don't know	Don't know

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