Volney Voltaire Smith (September 28, 1841 – April 17, 1897) was an American politician who served as the third Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas from 1873 to 1874. He served as president of the Arkansas Senate in 1873.[1]

Volney V. Smith
3rd Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas
In office
1873–1874
GovernorElisha Baxter
Preceded byJames M. Johnson
Succeeded byHarvey Parnell (1927)
Personal details
Born
Volney Voltaire Smith

(1841-09-28)September 28, 1841
New York
DiedApril 17, 1897(1897-04-17) (aged 55)
Lewisville, Arkansas
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMary Jane (née Elliot)
ProfessionSoldier, politician

He served in the Union Army during the American Civil War including with a "colored" infantry unit.[2]

He was a delegate to the Arkansas Constitutional Convention of 1874. He and other Republicans refused to sign the document produced.[2] He made a claim to the governorship in waie of the Brooks-Baxter War but fled after an arrest warrant was sworn out for him and U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant chose not to intervene.[2]

He was born in 1841 to Delazon Smith, a newspaper editor and Democratic Party politician, and Eliza Voke Smith. His second cousin was politician and mayor of Chelsea, Massachusetts Edward J. Voke.[citation needed]

He died in the state's mental institution.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Daniels, Charlie (July 1, 2009). The Historical Report of the Arkansas Secretary of State 2008. University of Arkansas Press. ISBN 978-0-615-23214-0 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ a b c d "Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Encyclopedia of Arkansas.
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