Alexander C. "Aleck" Smith (c. 1838 – May 9, 1875) was a justice of the Idaho Territorial Supreme Court from 1863 to 1866.
Born in Jacksonville, Illinois, [1] [2] Smith reportedly " read law somewhere in the West", [3] and "traveled to the Washington Territory in the 1850's where he served for a short time as a prosecuting attorney". [1] [2] He married the daughter of Anson G. Henry, who was then surveyor-general of the Washington Territory, and a close friend of President Abraham Lincoln. [2]
Henry visited Washington, D.C., in the spring of 1863 where Lincoln insisted that he stay and accompany him in a visit of the Army of the Potomac. [4] Henry secured Smith's appointment to the territorial supreme court at this time. [2] Smith was appointed to the seat on March 10, 1863, [5] and the appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate the following day. [6] Smith "was only twenty-five at the time of his appointment and was assigned to cover the First District by Governor William H. Wallace". [2] However, Smith's "inexperience and reputation for hard-drinking raised the ire of many in the territory, so much so that he was removed from office in 1866". [1]
Following his ouster from the court, it was reported that Smith had moved to Vancouver, Washington Territory, to practice law. [7] He died of consumption in Kalama, Washington Territory, on May 9, 1875. [8]
Alexander C. "Aleck" Smith (c. 1838 – May 9, 1875) was a justice of the Idaho Territorial Supreme Court from 1863 to 1866.
Born in Jacksonville, Illinois, [1] [2] Smith reportedly " read law somewhere in the West", [3] and "traveled to the Washington Territory in the 1850's where he served for a short time as a prosecuting attorney". [1] [2] He married the daughter of Anson G. Henry, who was then surveyor-general of the Washington Territory, and a close friend of President Abraham Lincoln. [2]
Henry visited Washington, D.C., in the spring of 1863 where Lincoln insisted that he stay and accompany him in a visit of the Army of the Potomac. [4] Henry secured Smith's appointment to the territorial supreme court at this time. [2] Smith was appointed to the seat on March 10, 1863, [5] and the appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate the following day. [6] Smith "was only twenty-five at the time of his appointment and was assigned to cover the First District by Governor William H. Wallace". [2] However, Smith's "inexperience and reputation for hard-drinking raised the ire of many in the territory, so much so that he was removed from office in 1866". [1]
Following his ouster from the court, it was reported that Smith had moved to Vancouver, Washington Territory, to practice law. [7] He died of consumption in Kalama, Washington Territory, on May 9, 1875. [8]