William E. Smith

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

William E. Smith (June 18, 1824 – February 13, 1883) was the 14th Governor of Wisconsin.

Born in Kincardineshire, Scotland, and moved to the United States with his family as a child. He had lived in New York City and Michigan before settling in Fox Lake, Wisconsin in 1849. He served two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly, including serving as speaker during the second term, and two terms in the Wisconsin State Senate. Smith was also Wisconsin state treasurer from 1866 to 1870. In 1872, Smith moved to Milwaukee and co-founded the Roundy's supermarket chain. He was elected governor in 1877 and served two terms from 1878 to 1882. He is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee.

Preceded by: Harrison Ludington

Governor of Wisconsin 1878 – 1882

Succeeded by: Jeremiah McLain Rusk

Governors of Wisconsin

Dewey • Farwell • Barstow • MacArthur • Bashford • Randall • Harvey • Salomon • Lewis • Fairchild • Washburn • Taylor • Ludington • Smith • Rusk • Hoard • Peck • Upham • Scofield • R La Follette • Davidson • McGovern • Philipp • Blaine • Zimmerman • Kohler Sr • P La Follette • Schmedeman • P La Follette • Heil • Goodland • Rennebohm • Kohler Jr • Thomson • Nelson • Reynolds • Knowles • Lucey • Schreiber • Dreyfus • Earl • Thompson • McCallum • Doyle