The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1915-02-19
Holding His First Term of
Court i'm Union.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
Judge Smith Has Made an Ever
lasting Impression Upon the
Citizenship of Union as a
4. IL Juisf, Public Speaker
and a Christian
Gentleman.

Judge Mendel L. Smith, who is
residing over his first term of court,
has made a most favorable impression
On the citizenship of Union, and it is
with pleasure that we reproduce q
sketch of his life taken from his
home paper, The Camden Chronicle,
of January 20.
Mendel Lafayette Smith
"Mendel l.. Smith, elected by the
general assembly of South Carolina
en- the 18th day of January, 1915,
Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit,
was born at Smithville, then a part
Of Sumter, now in Lee County, South
Carolina, on the 5th day of July,
1870. His parents were Lafayette
II. Smith and Medora bradley
Smith. His father was large and
successful merchant and planter, and
was most highly respected, sub
stantial and influential citizen. He
died in January 1888. His mother,
who is now living, is woman of fine
intellect, splendid energy and marvel
Gus executive ability.
The subject of this sketch was rear
ed in the country until the age Of
thirteen years. His father then
moved the family to Camden for the
increased educational advantages af-
forded his children. He attended the
Camden Graded School until the fall
of 1884, when he entered Wofford
College, at Spartanburg, S. c., and
took under Prof. Gambrel, q prepa-
tory course. In the fall of 1885, he
entered the South Carolina Military
Academy, now known as the Citade,,
Charleston, S. c., from which instf-
tuition he graduated in 1889. He sub
sequently entered the University of
Virginia in 1890 and took the law
course at that famous Southern in
stitution Of learning. He had the
great privilege of hearing the lect-
ures Of Prof. Jno. B. Minor, who was
one of the most illustrious law
teachers this country has produced.
He was admitted to the practice oA
the law in the courts of Virginia on
May 20, 1894, and in South Carolina
On the 11th day of January, 1895.
Mr.. Smith was married in April,
1895, to Miss Anna Dixon, of Camden
and they have four children. He has
church work, teaching Bible class
at the Camden Baptist Sunday
School,
In Demand as a Public Speaker.
AS a public speaker, probably, no
one has ever been called upon to
make more speeches in this state. For
fifteen years, he has been in constant
demand throughout the state for ad-
dresses on memorial, school and col
lege commencements, fraternal, pa
triotic, banquet, celebrative, political
and religious occasions. There are
few audiences in this state that he
has not addressed.
He has devoted lots of time to fra
ternal matters. He is member of
Pine Creek Council No. 20, Junior
Order United American Mechanics; !;
Camden Lodge No. 119, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows. He was
elected Grand Master Of this order in
May 1914, and is now serving in this
capacity. He is a member and Past
Chancellor of DeKalb Lodge No. A.,
Knights of Pythias, and Past Grand
Carolina, and also a representative
to the supreme lodge from this state,
being the sixth member of the judi
ciary committee therein, and chair
man of the Committee on Rules, prob
ably one of the highest recognitions
ever given a South Carolinian in that
body. He was asked to preside over
that body the third day of his first
session. He is also member of
Kershaw Lodge No. 20, A. F. NJ, b..
ing now Worshipful Master of the
lodge. He is a member of Rising
Star Chapter No. a, Royal Arch Ma
sons, Columbia Commandery, Knights
Templar, and Omar Shrine.
His Public Career.
His first public position was the
craftsmanship of the Board of Trus-
tees of the Camden Graded School
district, to which position he was ap-
pointed by the Board of Education in
1899 and served with the late E. o.
McCreight and Charles r. Lewis. His
splendid service in this capacity at
an early age indicated a peculiar fit
ness which was soon to develop into
a brilliant public service in other
phases of public life. He has devoted
much time and thought to the con-
sideration of the states educational
interests. Perhaps, in his long ca
reer as Speaker of the House of Rep
resentatives, with the power of ap-
pointing the important committees