Born on August 18, 1863, near Tyler in Smith County, Texas,[1] Smith attended the country schools, then graduated from Sam Houston Normal Institute (now Sam Houston State University) in 1883 and read law in 1885.

[2] He was Chairman of the Committee on Irrigation of Arid Lands in the 62nd through 64th United States Congresses.

[2] He moved to El Paso, Texas in October 1916 and returned to the private practice of law.

[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 12, 1917, and received his commission the same day.

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