Campaign button, c. 1908, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives

SMITH, Samuel William, a Representative from Michigan; born in Independence Township, Oakland County, Mich., August 23, 1852; attended the common schools in Clarkston and Detroit; began teaching school in 1869; served as superintendent of schools in Waterford Township, Mich., in 1875 and at the same time served as principal of the school at Waterford, Mich.; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1877 and was graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1878; commenced the practice of law in Pontiac, Mich.; prosecuting attorney of Oakland County 1880-1884; served in the State senate 1885-1887; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fifth and to the eight succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1897-March 3, 1915); chairman, Committee on District of Columbia (Sixtieth and Sixty-first Congresses); was not a candidate for reelection to the Sixty-fourth Congress; moved to Detroit, Mich., in 1913 and continued the practice of law; died in Detroit, Mich., June 19, 1931; interment in Oak Hill Cemetery, Adrian, Mich.