Winfield Smith

Winfield Scott Smith (August 16, 1827 – November 8, 1899) was an American lawyer, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the 8th Attorney General of Wisconsin and served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing part of the city of Milwaukee during the 1872 session.

Early life and career Smith was born on August 16, 1827, at Fort Howard, near Green Bay, where his father was stationed. The area was then part of the Michigan Territory. He was named in honor of U.S. Army General Winfield Scott, who his father had served under.

His father was Captain Henry Smith of the United States Army 6th Infantry Regiment. Captain Smith was born in New York, and came west with the army. In 1833, when Winfield Smith was six, the family relocated to Monroe, Michigan. His father fought in the Black Hawk War in Illinois in the 1830s, but afterward went to work on harbor improvements on Lake Erie and served two terms in the Michigan Legislature. though he did not actively pursue the office. In the 1872 session, he was chairman of the committee on the judiciary. His chief legislative accomplishment was the passage of a law which enabled the state school trust fund to loan money to the city of Milwaukee for the construction of water works, thus putting money to use that was otherwise sitting idle in state accounts, and enabling an important public improvement in the city. He was also a supporter of an increased appropriation to the University of Wisconsin, and an act which enabled soldiers serving outside the state to cast votes in state elections.

Family

Smith was married and had at least six children. He was survived by his wife and five of his children. She was a stage performer who married the actor William Stafford, and used the stage name Evelyn Foster Stafford.

Electoral history Wisconsin Attorney General (1863)

Wisconsin Assembly (1871)