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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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House Speaker Biographies


 

Robert Smith

Born: 1766, Mercersburg, Franklin County, PA.  Died: April 21, 1849, Franklin County, PA.  Member of the House: Franklin County, 1807-1809, 1811-1814, 1815-1816, 1823-1824.  Affiliation: Republican, Democratic-Republican, Democrat.

Robert Smith was born in 1766 in Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.  On November 16, 1790, he married the former Elizabeth Irwin, and the couple had 3 children: Jane (Dean), William, and Sarah (Findlay).

Smith began his career in public service as Franklin County auditor, between 1805 and 1807.

Smith was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Democrat for the 1807-1808 session.  He was re-elected to serve the House for several subsequent sessions: 1808-1809, 1811-1814, and 1815-1816. Smith was elected the 48th Speaker of the House on December 7, 1813. However, he soon resigned the position, on February 14, 1814.  In 1819 Smith was elected to serve Franklin County in the Pennsylvania State Senate.  He served in the Senate until 1823, when he was re-elected to the House for the 1823-1824 session. Smith was also elected as an associate judge for the Franklin County Court from 1836-1843.

Robert Smith died on April 21, 1849, in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.  He is interred at Church Hill Graveyard in Mercersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania.