Career
Smith was born in Coshocton County, Ohio and moved to Muskingum County, Ohio in childhood. He was a schoolteacher and newspaper publisher before being elected to three terms as Muskingum County Probate Judge, where he earned a statewide reputation. He was elected Ohio Secretary of State in 1918, and re-elected in 1920.
Smith married Cora East. Littick and had one son, Clyde.
He died in 1929 in Columbus, Ohio, and is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Zanesville, Ohio.