Born on January 22, 1861, in Hertford County, North Carolina, Smith attended Wake Forest University and graduated in 1882.

In addition, Smith served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Association and was a trustee of Furman University and Greenville Women's College.

Governor Cole Blease resigned five days before the end of his second term on January 14, 1915.

Smith succeeded to the governorship and only performed ceremonial functions during his five days in office.

[1] His home at Timmonsville, the Smith-Cannon House, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.