He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County in 1896.

William J. Smith was born on June 26, 1850, near Chesapeake City, Maryland, to Sarah J.

His maternal grandfather William Batton was a farmer and soldier in the War of 1812.

[3] In 1898, Smith was nominated by President William McKinley as postmaster of Elkton.

[1][2][3] Smith died on June 13, 1906, at his home on East Main Street in Elkton.