J. Joseph Smith

John Joseph Smith
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
In office September 2, 1960 – November 6, 1971
Appointed by	Dwight D. Eisenhower
Preceded by	Carroll C. Hincks
Succeeded by	Thomas Joseph Meskill
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
In office November 4, 1941 – September 2, 1960
Appointed by	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	Edwin Stark Thomas
Succeeded by	William H. Timbers
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut
In office 1953–1960
Preceded by	Carroll C. Hincks
Succeeded by	Robert P. Anderson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 5th district
In office January 3, 1935 – November 4, 1941
Preceded by	Edward W. Goss
Succeeded by	Joseph E. Talbot
Personal details
Born	(1904-01-25)January 25, 1904 Waterbury, Connecticut
Died	Waterbury, Connecticut
Alma mater	Yale University Yale Law School
Occupation	Attorney, Judge

John Joseph Smith (January 25, 1904 – February 16, 1980) was an American lawyer, member of the United States House of Representatives, and federal judge from Connecticut.

Early life and education

Smith was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on January 25, 1904.

He attended the public schools. He earned his B.A. from Yale University in 1925 and his LL.B. degree from Yale's law department (later Yale Law School) in 1927.

Career

Smith was admitted to the bar in 1927. He was a research fellow at Yale Law School from 1927 to 1928. He was in private practice in Waterbury from 1928 to 1941.

Smith served in the Field Artillery Reserves from 1925 to 1935.

He was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives, serving as a representative from Connecticut from 1935 to 1941 (in the Seventy-fourth, Seventy-fifth, Seventy-sixth, and Seventy-seventh Congresses).

On October 16, 1941, Smith was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, to the seat vacated by Edwin S. Thomas. Smith was confirmed by the Senate on October 28, 1941, and he received commission two days later. Smith resigned his seat in Congress to assume his judicial post. Smith served as chief judge of the court from 1953 to 1960.

On January 11, 1960, Smith was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, to the seat vacated by Carroll Clark Hincks. Smith was confirmed by the Senate on September 1, 1960, and received commission the next day.

Later life and death

Smith assumed senior status on November 6, 1971. He remained on the court until his death in Waterbury on February 16, 1980. Smith is interred at Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury.

Personal life

Smith resided in West Hartford, Connecticut.

References

• J. Joseph Smith at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

• J. Joseph Smith at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Edward W. Goss	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 5th congressional district January 3, 1935 – November 4, 1941	Succeeded by Joseph E. Talbot
Legal offices
Preceded by Edwin Stark Thomas	Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut 1941–1960	Succeeded by William H. Timbers
Preceded by Carroll C. Hincks	Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut 1953–1960	Succeeded by Robert P. Anderson
Preceded by Carroll C. Hincks	Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 1960–1971	Succeeded by Thomas Joseph Meskill