Smith Mead Weed was a Democratic lawyer and businessman from Plattsburgh, New York who served as a member of the New York State Assembly from 1865 to 1867, in 1871, and again in 1873 and 1874. A native of Bellmont, New York, Weed was an 1857 graduate of Harvard Law School. After attaining admission to the bar, he settled in the village of Plattsburgh, where he practiced law and became involved in businesses including lumber, mines, and railroads. He served in the New York State Assembly in 1865, 1866, 1867, 1871, 1873 and 1874. In 1871, Weed's opposition to the Tammany Hall Democratic organization caused a pro-Tammany Assembly member to assault him; the member resigned rather than face expulsion. Weed attended several Democratic National Conventions as a delegate and was a supporter of Samuel J. Tilden for president in 1876 and 1880. During the controversy that followed the disputed 1876 election, Weed was accused of attempting to bribe election officials in contested states in order to procure their support for Tilden. Weed was a candidate for U.S. Senate three times; when Republicans held state legislative majorities in 1887 and 1905, Weed was nominated by Democrats as an honor, and lost to the Republican nominees. When Democrats held a legislative majority in 1891, Weed expected to be the nominee and win election to the Senate, but deferred to incumbent Governor David B. Hill, who went on to win the seat. Weed died on Valcour Island on June 7, 1920 and was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Plattsburgh.
Early life
Smith M. Wead was born in Bellmont, New York on July 26, 1833, the son of Roswell Alcott Weed and Sarah A. Mead. He was educated in Franklin County, New York, studied law with Judge George Mather Beckwith, and attended Harvard Law School, from which he graduated in 1857. He was admitted to the bar and practiced in the village of Plattsburgh. In addition, he became active in local politics and government, including several terms as village president. Weed was also active in numerous business ventures, including lumber, mining, and railroads.
Political career
Weed was a member of the New York State Assembly from Clinton County in 1865, 1866, 1867, 1871, 1873 and 1874. In 1867, he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention. In 1871, Weed's opposition to the Tammany Hall Democratic organization led to an assault on Weed by James Irving, a pro-Tammany member of the Assembly; Irving chose to resign in order to prevent being expelled. A supporter of Samuel J. Tilden, Weed was a delegate to the 1876 Democratic National Convention. In the dispute that followed the 1876 election, Weed was accused of attempting to bribe election officials in the disputed states to award their electoral votes to Tilden. Weed was also a delegate to the 1880 convention and the one in 1884. He was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in the January 1887 election. Republicans controlled the state legislature, and he lost to Republican Frank Hiscock. In 1890, Weed was a prominent organizer and financial supporter of his party's effort to take control of the state legislature. With a narrow minority in the State Senate but a small majority in the Assembly, the Democrats were positioned to elect on a joint ballot one of their own to the US Senate in 1891 as the successor to William M. Evarts. Weed expected to be his party's candidate, but agreed to withdraw if Governor David B. Hill desired the nomination. Hill decided to run; Weed withdrew as a candidate, and Hill won the Senate seat. Weed was the Democratic US Senate nominee again in 1905; Republicans controlled the legislature, and reelected Chauncey Depew.
Death and burial
He died on Valcour Island on June 7, 1920 and was buried at Riverside Cemetery in Plattsburgh.
Family
In 1859, Weed married Catherine L. Standish, a descendant of Myles Standish. They were the parents of five children - Roswell Alcott, George Standish, Margaret Celeste, Caroline, Katherine Miller, and Standish Kellogg.
Legacy
Plattsburgh's Smith Weed Bridge is named for Weed, as are the city's Weed Street and Weed Street Extension. Weed's former home at the corner of Sailly Avenue and City Hall Place still stands. It is privately owned, and is the location of a local law firm's offices.
