Hezekiah Bradley SMITH, Congress, NJ (1816-1887)

SMITH, Hezekiah Bradley, a Representative from New Jersey; born in Bridgewater, Windsor County, Vt., July 24, 1816; attended the common schools; learned the trade of cabinetmaker; settled in Lowell, Mass., about 1840 and engaged in the manufacture of woodworking machinery; took out more than forty patents for original inventions; moved to Smithville, Burlington County, N.J., in 1865 and continued the manufacture of wood-working machinery; also manufactured the Star bicycle; made the first steam-driven vehicle operated in New Jersey; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-sixth Congress (March 4, 1879-March 3, 1881); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880 to the Forty-seventh Congress; resumed his former business activities; member of the State senate 1883-1885; died in Smithville, N.J., November 3, 1887; interment in the Pine Street Cemetery, Mount Holly, Burlington County, N.J.

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