19 Facts About Winfield Smith

Winfield Scott Smith was an American lawyer, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer.

Winfield Smith was the 8th Attorney General of Wisconsin and served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing part of the city of Milwaukee during the 1872 session.

Winfield Smith was named in honor of US Army General Winfield Scott, who his father had served under.

Winfield Smith's father was Captain Henry Smith of the United States Army 6th Infantry Regiment.

Captain Winfield Smith was born in New York, and came west with the army.

In 1833, when Winfield Smith was six, the family relocated to Monroe, Michigan.

Winfield Smith's father fought in the Black Hawk War in Illinois in the 1830s, but afterward went to work on harbor improvements on Lake Erie and served two terms in the Michigan Legislature.

Winfield Smith returned to Monroe and ran a school for a year, before becoming a private tutor.

Winfield Smith was intent on becoming educated in the law, and, in 1848, began study in the offices of Isaac P Christiancy, who would later serve as a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and a United States senator.

Winfield Smith died of Yellow fever while on campaign in Mexico, July 24,1847.

Winfield Smith maintained a private law office for the next five years, before forming a partnership with Edward Salomon, who would later become Governor of Wisconsin.

Winfield Smith remained associated with Salomon for fifteen years, before and after their time in public office, until Salomon's departure to New York.

Winfield Smith was elected to remain in office for a full term in 1863, and left office in January 1866.

Winfield Smith was a supporter of an increased appropriation to the University of Wisconsin, and an act which enabled soldiers serving outside the state to cast votes in state elections.

Winfield Smith declined the United States District Court judgeship in the Eastern District of Wisconsin in 1872, on the retirement of Judge Andrew G Miller, and again in 1875, on the resignation of Judge James Henry Howe.

Winfield Smith was urged to seek election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court on the death of Chief Justice Edward George Ryan, in 1880, but again declined.

Winfield Smith had a large stake in the Cream City Street Railroad and was president of the company for a number of years.

Winfield Smith was survived by his wife and five of his children.

Winfield Smith was a stage performer who married the actor William Stafford, and used the stage name Evelyn Foster Stafford.