MLK Library

SMATHERS, William Howell, (uncle of George Armistead Smathers), a Senator from New Jersey; born on a plantation near Waynesville, Haywood County, N.C., January 7, 1891; attended the public schools and Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.; graduated from the law department of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1911; admitted to the bar in 1912 and commenced practice in Atlantic City, N.J.; judge of the common pleas court of Atlantic City, N.J., 1922-1932; member of the State supreme court commission since 1923; special master in chancery in 1924; first assistant attorney general of New Jersey 1934-1936; elected to the State senate in 1935; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate for the term beginning January 3, 1937, but was not sworn in until April 15, 1937, being a member of the State senate until that time, and served until January 3, 1943; unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1942; engaged in the practice of law in Atlantic City, N.J., until his retirement; returned to Waynesville, N.C., where he resided until his death in Asheville, N.C., September 24, 1955; interment in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesville, N.C.