Background
Smith, William Robert was born on August 18, 1863 in in Smith County, Texas, United States. Son of of Samuel Augustus and Melissa Caroline (Dobbs) S.
judge lawyer politician representative
Smith, William Robert was born on August 18, 1863 in in Smith County, Texas, United States. Son of of Samuel Augustus and Melissa Caroline (Dobbs) S.
Born in Smith County, Texas, Smith graduated from the Sam Houston Normal Institute in Huntsville, Texas in 1883.
He read law in 1885 and was admitted to the Texas bar, beginning the practice of law in Tyler, Texas. He moved to Colorado, Texas in 1888, where he continued to practice law. In 1897, he became a judge of the 32nd Judicial District of Texas.
In 1903, he resigned as judge to become a United States representative for Texas and served from March 4, 1903 to March 3, 1917.
In 1916, Smith was defeated for renomination to his seat. He moved to El Paso, Texas in October and resumed the practice of law.
This practice was cut short when, on April 11, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson nominated Smith to a newly created seat in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. Smith was confirmed by the United States Senate, and received his commission, on April 12, 1917.
He served until his death in El Paso.
Member 58th to 64th Congresses (1903-1917), 16th Texas
Married Frances Lipscomb Breedlove, November 6, 1890.