Submitted By: jwlkvan@bellsouth.net
Research by George Kelly Pickard:
MEMORIAL RECORDS OF WESTERN KY.
Prominent among lawyers of the first judicial district, is Robert Lee Smith, of
Clinton, Hickman Co. Ky. Mr. Smith was born in Hancock Co. Ky.8-14-1869,and is
the eldest son of Dr. Lee N. Smith and Emma Kelly Smith. The parents were born
in Ky., the father in Shelby Co., and the mother in Daviess Co, and both are
from prominent Ky. families. The father has long practiced medicine. From
Hancock, he moved his family to Breckenridge Co.,and in 1885 established the
family residence in Hickman Co. He now resides in Hailewell, Ky. In the main,
his children have been raised on the farm.
Hence Mr. Smith, whose name forms the caption of this article, was reared amind
scenes of farm life, learning the lessons of industry and perseverance, which
have been important factors in the success which has come to him in life.
completing a liberal education in Marvin College, Clinton, Ky., he taught in the
public schools for five years with more than average success. He taught his
first school when only seventeen years of age. While teaching school, Mr. Smith
studied law, and in March 1892 was admitted to the bar.
Immediately after his admission to the bar ,he opened a law office in Fulton,
Ky., and was engaged in the practice of law in Fulton, Ky. until 1894.From
Fulton Mr. Smith removed to the town Moscow, Ky. In the latter place he remained
till Jan.,1898,when he took up the duties of county attorney for Hickman Co.,
having been elected to this office the previous fall. Upon entering this office
he established his residence in Clinton, where he has since continued to reside
and practice law. While residing at Moscow he served as magistrate, and as Co.
Attorney. Mr. Smith served for four years, to the general satisfaction of the
public and with credit to himself. In 1901Mr.Smith was elected mayor of Clinton,
the duties of which office, he assumed in Jan.1902.the term of office being for
four years. As mayor his administration of the town's public affairs has been of
high moral tone, of business-like methods and progressiveness.
In politics Mr. Smith is a stanch democrat, and loyally supports the men and
measures of his party. He Is a member of the Baptist church ,and is numbered not
only among leading lawyers, but also among the representative citizens of his
county. In 1890,he wedded miss Dora Eves, a Ky. Lady of accomplishments the
marriage two daughters have been born. (1996 note by Louise Vanover:- Our family
records also list a son that died in infancy.)
In every sence of that much used term, Mr. Smith is a "self-made man," Steadily
he has forged his way to the front in professional life, and today enjoys a good
and lucrative clientage as a lawyer, his record has been free of anything of
questionable practices, and consequently he is highly esteemed by his fellow
citizens.