Forrest Smith

Forrest Smith (February 14, 1886 – March 8, 1962) was a Governor of Missouri. He was a Democrat. Smith was born in Ray County in Missouri. He was the Missouri state auditor between 1933 and 1949. He became the Governor of Missouri in 1949 and served until 1953. He was a delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri in 1952. Smith died in 1962. Smith first entered politics as the Ray County deputy assessor, a position he held four years... more

Forrest Smith (February 14, 1886 – March 8, 1962) was a Governor of Missouri. He was a Democrat. Smith was born in Ray County in Missouri. He was the Missouri state auditor between 1933 and 1949. He became the Governor of Missouri in 1949 and served until 1953. He was a delegate to Democratic National Convention from Missouri in 1952. Smith died in 1962. Smith first entered politics as the Ray County deputy assessor, a position he held four years. He also served eight years as county clerk, was a member of the state tax commission from 1925 to 1932. A four-time State Auditor(1933-1949) Forrest Smith helped himself get re-elected by reminding voters that he was the man who mailed out the old-age pension checks and won the Democratic nomination for governor in 1948. His Republican opponent was Murray Thompson, operator of a small-town furniture store and Speaker of the House. It has been said that one of the reasons that Smith won the governor's election was the influence provided by... less