Ephraim Knight SMART, Congress, ME (1813-1872)

SMART Ephraim Knight , a Representative from Maine; born in Prospect (now Searsport), Maine, September 3, 1813; attended the common schools; completed preparatory studies under private tutors and attended Maine Wesleyan Seminary at Readfield; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1838 and commenced practice in Camden, Knox County, Maine; appointed postmaster of Camden in 1838; member of the State senate in 1841 and 1842; appointed aide-de-camp with the rank of lieutenant colonel on the staff of Governor Fairfield in 1842; moved to Missouri in 1843 and continued the practice of his profession; returned to Camden, Maine, the following year and resumed the practice of law; again appointed postmaster of Camden in 1845; elected as a Democrat to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1849); elected to the Thirty-second Congress (March 4, 1851-March 3, 1853); collector of customs at Belfast 1853-1858; established the Maine Free Press in 1854, and served as editor for three years; member of the State house of representatives in 1858; unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Maine in 1860; again served in the State senate in 1862; moved to Biddeford, York County, Maine, in 1869 and established the Maine Democrat; died in Camden, Maine, September 29, 1872; interment in the Mountain Street Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present