Born near Hammonville, Hart County, Kentucky, Smith attended the public schools and the colleges at Horse Cave, Leitchfield, and Hartford, Kentucky.

He was admitted to the bar in 1876 and commenced practice in Hodgenville, Kentucky.

He was one of the managers appointed by the House of Representatives in 1905 to conduct the impeachment trial proceedings against Charles Swayne, judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida.

He served as president of the Farmers' National Bank of Hodgenville, Kentucky.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress