Background
Smith, William Henry was born on December 1, 1833 in Austerlitz, Columbia County, New York, United States. Son of William Deforest Smith.
journalist politician media proprietor
Smith, William Henry was born on December 1, 1833 in Austerlitz, Columbia County, New York, United States. Son of William Deforest Smith.
He was a tutor, editor of the Literary Review at Cincinnati, and was an editor at the Cincinnati Gazette when the American Civil War broke out. He was active in promoting enlistments for the Union. Smith was active in securing the gubernatorial nomination for John Brough, and became his private secretary upon his election to Governor in 1863.
In 1864 he resigned when nominated by the Republicans for Ohio Secretary of State, and defeated incumbent Democrat William West. Armstrong in the general election.
He was nominated again in 1866, and defeated Democrat Benjamin Le Fevre. Smith resigned as Secretary January 14, 1868 to run the Cincinnati Chronicle for a short time until failing health caused his resignation.
In 1870 he took charge of the Western Associated Press in Chicago. In 1877, President Hayes appointed him Collector of the Portuguese of Chicago.
In January, 1883, he led the merger of the Western Associated Press and the New York Associated Press, and was General Manager of the company.
Smith also compiled and edited historic works, including the Saint Clair Papers in 1882. He died July 27, 1896 in Lake Forest, Illinois, and was interred at Lake Forest Cemetery.
Married Emma Reynolds, 1855, 1 child.