1850-51
HISTORY
Henry Kendall Smith was born on April 2, 1811 in
St. Croix, the Virgin Islands. His father was an architect
and builder, who acquired wealth through the acquisition
of sugar plantations. When the islands were returned to
Denmark ownership, from England, his father had to relinquish
all he owned.
Smith attended local schools until 1819 when he was
sent to Baltimore, Maryland to be educated by prominent
Anglican teacher, Dr. Berry.
Smith moved to New York City in 1828, and worked
as a clerk in a dry goods store. Shortly thereafter he moved
to Johnstown, New York to study law with Judge Daniel Cody.
In 1832 he began to practice law. He was 21 years
old at the time and made a speech at the Democratic Convention,
said to have been the best. He made the acquaintance of
Israel T. Hatch
of Buffalo
, who persuaded him to move to this city. Smith was a great
orator, which may have been his greatest asset.
In 1833 he moved to Buffalo
and began a legal partnership with Mr. Hatch that lasted four
years.
The firm of Smith, Clinton (George Wm.) and Warren
(Edward S.) was formed after that.
Smith was admitted as a Counsellor at law to the
Superior Court of New York in May 1836, and was appointed
District Attorney for Erie County in December 1836.
The Young Men's Association
had Smith as a original member of the Board of Managers in February
1836.
Smith was elected a Library Board member for the
year 1836.
At the outbreak of the Patriot War
, in late 1837, Smith was made captain of one of the companies
of citizen volunteers. He continued in the militia until
1847.
In 1843 Smith began a partnership with Charles N.
S. Williams, which continued until 1847 when he formed a
partnership with Judge Isaac A. Verplanck
He became a judge of the Recorder's Court of Buffalo
in January 1844 and held that position for four years.
In 1848 Smith was unexpectedly appointed Postmaster
of Buffalo
He tried unsuccessfully to be elected to the New
York Assembly, Senate and U. S. Congress.
The Whig
's held their ward meeting to nominate delegates for local
political offices on February 22, 1850. Luman K. Plimpton
was nominated for mayor and Judge Jared S. Torrance for
Justice of the Peace.
The Locofoco
's held their convention
on February 26 and nominated Henry K. Smith
for mayor and J. G. Dickle for Justice of the Peace.
LIFE AS A MAYOR
On March 5, 1850 the local elections were held. Locofoco
Henry K. Smith
was elected over Luman Plimpton
by a vote of 2,678 to 2,301. The Buffalo
Express reported on March 6: "We are beaten-how, and by
what means, it is needless to remark. It is necessary for
us to know that we are tremendously flogged, and even now
while we write, the noise and confusion of Locofoco
rejoicing and the...music of the enemy over their triumph, come
up to us, uninvited and unwelcome visitors.
"We opposed the successful candidates...but
we indulge the same pride in them, as officers of our young
city, that their warmest admirers can entertain."
The election was not as overwhelming as it had been
many times before when the Whigs won most of the elected
seats. The Locofoco
's also took the Justice of Peace, and the aldermen were
split five to five.
At the Common Council
meeting of March 12, 1850, Mayor Barton
closed the current session of the board and two aldermen were
appointed to wait upon Mayor-elect Smith.
When Smith arrived, he was administered the oath
of office by ex-Mayor Barton
He then swore in the newly elected aldermen and proceeded
with his inaugural address. He held back no punches in delivering
it.
As was stated editorially about the Mayor's speech
in the Buffalo
Daily Courier of March 16, 1850: "For the first time, perhaps,
since the citizens of Buffalo
have enjoyed the privileges...of a City Charter
, the plain truth has been told them with regard to their
debts, their credit and the condition of their finances.
"The indebtedness of the citizens of Buffalo
would seem to be a matter of the highest public interest. The
amount of that indebtedness is stated to them for the first
time, we believe, by the new Mayor in his Inaugural Address
"
The same paper then stated on March 18: "It
would be a great injustice to characterize the recommendations
of the Mayor in his Inaugural Address
as party measures. The policy which it develops, we deem the
policy of THE PEOPLE, with which party has nothing to do,
except as it can be made instrumental in the work of carrying
that policy through.
"'Pay up your debts before contracting more!'
In the application or adoption of that policy, the City
of Buffalo
will redeem her credit, extend her resources and accomplish
for herself all that her best friends can ask."
Several points were made by Mayor Smith
during that opening address including the recommendation of
a new city charter. "With that, comes an equitable
division of the Wards, the abolition of the oppressive "Order
System," Water Works, and whatever other good things
the Mayor has recommended."
Mayor Smith
supported various civic improvements during his term, but overall
it was rather uneventful.
On March 11, 1851 the Common Council
met to close up business. Alderman Tiffany offered a resolution,
which was passed, thanking Mayor Smith
"for his zeal, ability and distinguished success as executive."
Smith replied to the Council.
"I shall recollect the associations of this
year with great pleasure...One pleasing occurrence has distinguished
your administration, the interchange of civilities and courtesies
with our Canadian neighbors." After Smith finished
his speech, he appointed two aldermen to wait upon Mayor-elect
James Wadsworth
When Wadsworth was led to the chair, Mayor Smith
administered the oath of office to him and ended his term.
PERSONAL LIFE
After leaving office, Mr. Smith continued his partnership
with Judge Isaac A. Verplanck
, until approximately 1852, when he formed a firm with R.
U. Stevens, which continued until Smith's untimely death.
Henry K. Smith
married Miss Voorhees of Johnstown, New York in 1834. They had
one child, but both died within a year. Smith remarried
in June 1848, to Sally Ann Thompson, daughter of ex-Mayor
Sheldon Thompson
They also had one son, but she died within 18 months.
Mayor Smith
's residence was at 30 West Eagle Street near Franklin Street.
"H. K. Smith's versatility was never better
exemplified than in the founding of the "St. Quacco's"
society of which he was president and Joseph Stringham...the
secretary. At a dinner given by them to their friends they...had
everyone guessing. They read regrets from Henry Clay, Lewis
Cass, Thomas H. Benton, Daniel Webster
, and other suppositious absent guests, all written by H.
K. Smith, and from Governor Silas Wright, and Martin Van
Buren."
Smith himself finally succumbed to death on September
23, 1854 at 43 years of age. He would have been a man of marked
individuality in any other community; the equal of all, and
superior to most of his contemporaries." He is buried
in Forest Lawn Cemetery
.
