Born in Newark, New Jersey, Smith emigrated to Canada in 1876.

He was a co-founder and president of the Canadian Mining Institute.

He was president of Canadian Auto and Taxicab and was a member of the Montreal Board of Trade.

[1][2] Smith served in the Canadian Militia as a Major with the Richmond based 11th Hussars in command of a Squadron.

He was appointed to the Legislative Council of Quebec for Victoria in 1911.