James Francis Smith

James Francis Smith (January 28, 1859 – June 29, 1928) was an American Brigadier General, associate justice to the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Governor-General of the Philippines, and associate judge of the U.S. Court of Customs Appeals until his death. Smith attended Santa Clara College, graduating with B.A. and M.A. degrees, and went to Hastings College of Law. He was admitted to the California bar in 1881 and wed to Lillie A. Dunnigan in... more

James Francis Smith (January 28, 1859 – June 29, 1928) was an American Brigadier General, associate justice to the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Governor-General of the Philippines, and associate judge of the U.S. Court of Customs Appeals until his death. Smith attended Santa Clara College, graduating with B.A. and M.A. degrees, and went to Hastings College of Law. He was admitted to the California bar in 1881 and wed to Lillie A. Dunnigan in 1885. Commissioned as a colonel of 1st California Volunteer Infantry on May 6, 1898, Smith was part of the first expeditionary force to the Philippines in the Spanish-American War. His regiment took part in the Battle of Manila (1898). After hostilities ceased against Spain, he saw action in the Philippine-American War in the first part of 1899, and was promoted to brigadier general. In July, 1899 he was made military governor of Negros Island. William Howard Taft who was then Governor-General, appointed Smith to be an associate justice of... less