Charles Aurelius Smith
Encyclopedia
Charles Aurelius Smith (January 22, 1861 April 1, 1916) was the 91st Governor of South Carolina
from January 14, 1915, to January 19, 1915. His term of five days stands as the shortest for any governor in South Carolina
.
Born on January 22, 1861, in Hertford County, North Carolina
, Smith attended Wake Forest University
and graduated in 1882. He moved to Timmonsville, South Carolina
, the following year and began pursuing banking and business interests, eventually becoming the president of several banks in South Carolina. In addition, Smith served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Association and was a trustee of Furman University
and Greenville Women's College
.
Smith was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives
in 1910 and became the Lieutenant Governor a year later in 1911. Governor Cole Blease
resigned five days before the end of his second term on January 14, 1915, so that he did not have to attend the inauguration of Richard Irvine Manning III
. Smith succeeded to the governorship and only performed ceremonial functions during his five days in office.
After serving as governor, Smith moved to Baltimore
where he died on April 1, 1916. He was buried at Byrd Cemetery in Timmonsville
and a large monument marks his grave.
He and his wife, Fannie L. Byrd, had nine children. Smith was a baptist.
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
from January 14, 1915, to January 19, 1915. His term of five days stands as the shortest for any governor in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
Born on January 22, 1861, in Hertford County, North Carolina
Hertford County, North Carolina
-Townships:The county is divided into six townships:Ahoskie, Como, Harrellsville, Murfreesboro, St. Johns and Winton.-Towns:*Ahoskie*Cofield*Como*Harrellsville*Murfreesboro*Winton-Demographics:...
, Smith attended Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
and graduated in 1882. He moved to Timmonsville, South Carolina
Timmonsville, South Carolina
Timmonsville is a town in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,315 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Timmonsville is located at ....
, the following year and began pursuing banking and business interests, eventually becoming the president of several banks in South Carolina. In addition, Smith served as president of the South Carolina Baptist Association and was a trustee of Furman University
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
and Greenville Women's College
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
.
Smith was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives
South Carolina House of Representatives
The South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the upper house being the South Carolina Senate. It consists of 124 Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time as US Congressional elections...
in 1910 and became the Lieutenant Governor a year later in 1911. Governor Cole Blease
Coleman L. Blease
Coleman Livingston Blease was a politician from the U.S. state of South Carolina known for his populist appeals and racism. He served as a state legislator, as the 90th Governor of South Carolina, and as a U.S...
resigned five days before the end of his second term on January 14, 1915, so that he did not have to attend the inauguration of Richard Irvine Manning III
Richard Irvine Manning III
Richard Irvine Manning III was a politician from the U.S. state of South Carolina. He served as a state legislator and as the 92nd Governor of South Carolina.-Early life and career:...
. Smith succeeded to the governorship and only performed ceremonial functions during his five days in office.
After serving as governor, Smith moved to Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
where he died on April 1, 1916. He was buried at Byrd Cemetery in Timmonsville
Timmonsville, South Carolina
Timmonsville is a town in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,315 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Timmonsville is located at ....
and a large monument marks his grave.
He and his wife, Fannie L. Byrd, had nine children. Smith was a baptist.