Joe L. Smith

"Joseph L. Smith" redirects here. For other uses, see Joseph L. Smith (disambiguation).
Joe L. Smith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from West Virginia's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1929 – January 3, 1945
Preceded byEdward T. England
Succeeded byE. H. Hedrick
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 7th district
In office
January 13, 1909 – January 2, 1913
Preceded byW. A. Ballard
Succeeded byCarl C. Coalter
Personal details
Born
Joseph Luther Smith

(1880-05-22)May 22, 1880
Marshes, West Virginia, U.S.
DiedAugust 23, 1962(1962-08-23) (aged 82)
Beckley, West Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic[1]
SpouseChristine Carlson

Joseph Luther Smith, commonly known as Joe L. Smith (May 22, 1880 – August 23, 1962), was an American politician, and a member of the Democratic Party from West Virginia.

He was born in Marshes (now Glen Daniel, West Virginia) in Raleigh County, West Virginia, where he attended public and private schools. Smith was editor and owner of Raleigh Register in Beckley, West Virginia. In addition, he was engaged in the real estate and banking businesses.

His political career began in 1904, when, aged 24, he became mayor of Beckley, a post he held for 25 years until 1929.[2] He also served in the State Senate (1909–1913). Smith was elected to the United States House of Representatives from West Virginia's 6th District in 1928, where he served eight two-year terms (March 4, 1929 – January 3, 1945).[1] He rose to become chairman of the House Committee on Mines and Mining (Seventy-second through Seventy-eighth Congresses). He didn't seek a ninth term in 1944. Fellow Democrat E. H. Hedrick replaced him. After leaving politics, Smith resumed his banking career and resided in Beckley, where he died. He is interred in Sunset Memorial Park.

His son Hulett C. Smith served as Governor of West Virginia.[3]

  1. ^ a b "Rep. Joseph Luther Smith - Former Representative for West Virginia's 6th District". govtrack.us. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  2. ^ "HISTORY OF BECKLEY AND RALEIGH COUNTY - Mayors". Jeff Miller. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "Former W.Va. Gov. Hulett C. Smith dies at 93". Associated Press. Retrieved January 17, 2012.