Smith, Caleb B. (Caleb Blood), 1808-1864

Caleb Blood Smith, lawyer, congressman, and Secretary of the Interior. Smith was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives, and was reelected in 1834, 1835, and 1836. He represented Indiana in the Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, and Thirtieth Congress serving on the Committee of Foreign Affairs, and chairing the Committee on Territories. Known for his staunch opposition to the Mexican War, he refused another nomination and left Congress in 1849. He practiced law in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was president of Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad. In 1859, he moved to Indianapolis where he became one of the most active Republicans, campaigning for Lincoln during the presidential elections. When President Lincoln formed his cabinet, he appointed Smith Secretary of the Interior. In December 1862, he resigned the position, and was then appointed U.S. Judge for the Indiana District. He died in office in 1864.

From the description of Papers of Caleb Blood Smith and Charles William Spooner, 1820-1916 (1861-1875). (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 228737955

• 1808, Apr. 16: Born, Boston, Mass.
• 1814: Moved with family to Cincinnati Ohio, and later studied law at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio,
• circa 1827 - 1828 : Admitted to the bar and entered law office of Oliver H. Smith, Connersville, Ind.; later married Elizabeth Walton
• 1834: Won election to the Indiana house of representatives
• 1842: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives, the first of three terms
• 1850: Returned to law practice in Indiana
• 1851: President, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad Co.
• 1859: As leader of the Indiana delegation to the Republican Convention, Chicago, Ill., fought for nomination of Abraham Lincoln for president
• 1861: Appointed secretary of the interior
• 1862: Resigned cabinet position and returned to Indianapolis, Ind. Appointed judge, U.S. District Court of Indiana
• 1864, Jan. 2: Died, Indianapolis, Ind.

From the guide to the Caleb B. Smith Papers, 1841-1862, (bulk 1849), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)