John R. Smith (July 1837 – April 14, 1921) was an American politician who served as the sixth North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture.
[2] He was appointed superintendent of the State Penitentiary by Governor Daniel Lindsay Russell.
[4] Upon uncovering evidence of misconduct, Russell arranged for Smith swap to positions with James M. Mewborne, the commissioner of agriculture.
[2] The State Board of Agriculture elected him on December 14, 1897, to succeed Mewborne effective January 1, 1898.
[5] At the board's next meeting on June 14, a motion was introduced to deem Smith unfit for office and form a committee to ask for his resignation.