William Nathan Harrell Smith

William Nathan Harrell Smith (September 24, 1812 – November 14, 1889) was a United States Representative from North Carolina; born in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, September 24, 1812; attended the common schools in Murfreesboro, N.C., Kingston, Rhode Island, and Colchester, Connecticut and East Lyme, Connecticut; was graduated from Yale College in 1834 and from Yale Law School in 1836; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Murfreesboro, N.C., in 1839; held several local offices; was a member of the State house of commons in 1840, 1858, 1865, and 1866; served in the State senate in 1848; solicitor (prosecutor) of the first judicial district of North Carolina for eight years; elected as an Opposition Party candidate to the Thirty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861); unsuccessful candidate (backed by the American Party and many Democrats) for Speaker; served in the Confederate Congress 1862-1865; delegate to the Democratic National Convention at New York City in 1868; served as counsel for Governor W. W. Holden in his 1871 impeachment trial; chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court 1878-1889; died in Raleigh, North Carolina, November 14, 1889; interment in Historic Oakwood Cemetery.