Fabritus Reynolds Smith LAST NAME: Smith FIRST NAME: Fabritus MIDDLE NAME: Reynolds NICKNAME:  MAIDEN NAME:  AKA 1:  AKA 2:  AKA 3:  TITLE:  GENDER: M MILITARY:  BORN: 25 May 1819 DIED: 2 Oct 1898 BURIED: 8 Oct 1898 ETHNICITY:   OCCUPATION:  Farmer, Oregon Legislator BIRTH PLACE:  Rochester, New York DEATH PLACE: Salem, Marion Co., Oregon NOTES:  Oregon Statesman, May 29, 1898, 8:3 79th Birthday 1860 OR CENSUS -  F. R. Smith, male, age 41, occupation farmer, b. New York, and V., age 32, b. Missouri, along with C.,  male, age 14, b. Illinois, V., age 5, female, b. Oregon, and L., female, age 8 months, b. Oregon. BIOGRAPHICAL (Hines, pg 770): One of the successful pioneer farmers of Marion county, and still residing upon the section land, which he purchased in 1847, was born in Rochester, New York, in 1819.  The incidents of the days of his youth are still fresh in his memory. May 17, 1846, in company with Joseph Waldo, he set out upon the long journey across the plains, arrived safely, and since then has been a resident at the place mentioned. PHOTOGRAPH NOTE - The photograph of the Smith-Ohmart house is courtesy of Salem (Oregon) Public Library Historic Photograph Collections. The caption for the picture is "The Smith-Ohmart House at 2655 E. Nob Hill Street SE in Salem, Marion County, Oregon was built in 1870 for Fabritus R. Smith. For 73 years, it was the "home place" of the families of Fabritus Smith, his daughter Velleda (Mrs. Adam) Ohmart, and his her son, Roy V. Ohmart. Fabritus Smith served two terms in the Oregon Legislature (1876 and 1878), was a successful farmer, trustee of Willamette University, local school board member and a leader in the First Methodist Church of Salem (First United Methodist Church). In addition to its association with prominent Salem pioneer families, the house is a well-preserved example of western rural Italianate architecture. The Smith-Ohmart House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979." OBITUARY:  ONE HONORED NAME LESS.  ON THE ROSTER OF OREGON’S LIVING PIONEERS.  Hon. Fabritus R. Smith Passes Away at His Suburban Home. Notes of a Noble Life.  Fabritus R. Smith, one of the oldest and best known citizens of Salem, died at his home just south of this city yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock. For nearly a year his health was poor, but a few weeks ago he recovered strength and his friends were hopeful of a new lease of life. But some days ago he fell and broke a rib, since which he gradually failed on Sunday his condition became alarming. Before death came he was unconscious, and at last he quietly and peacefully passed away.  Mr. Smith was born in Rochester, New York, May 25, 1819. He came to Oregon in the fall of 1846, and settled in Salem. Soon he bought his farm on South Commercial street, where he has lived ever since. The first day of September, 1847 he was married to Miss Virginia [sic] E. Pringle. Of the seven children born to them three are living, namely: Mrs. Valeda Ohmart, Hamlin F. Smith and Clara E. Smith. They all live here and all were present when their father died.  December 2, 1875, he was bereaved of his first wife. Two years later he was married to Miss Sarah E. Watt. Over twenty years they lived together in happy union, now it is broken by death.  During his life the deceased was interested but not absorbed in public affairs. He served two terms as a member of the Oregon legislature - in the house of representatives - and for six years he was on the board of directors of the Salem public schools. To Willamette University he gave much time and attention, and he contributed frequently to its funds. Almost, if not from the beginning, he has been a trustee of the school and vice-president of the board of trustees.  Fidelity marked his relation to every trust. In early life he identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal church and some time ago the church in this city celebrated the fiftieth year of his membership. For some years he had been the nester of the society here and his presence and inspiration will be greatly missed. The funeral will be held at the family residence tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon at 2 o’clock.  Oregon Statesman 7 Oct 1898, 3:3. Fabritus R. Smith, who died in Salem October 3, was born in Rochester, N. Y. May 25, 1819. Of the deceased the Capital Journal says: He spent his boyhood days in the state of New York. In 1846 he came to Oregon and settled in Salem, where he soon bought the home at which he died. He was married Sept. 1, 1847 to Miss Virgila E. Pringle, and seven children blessed their union of whom three are now living - Mrs. Veleda Ohmart, Hamlin F. Smith and Clara E. Smith, all residents of this city. In 1875 Mr. Smith's first wife died and two years later he married Mrs. Sarah E. Watt, who survives him.  During all the long residence of the deceased here he was interested in public life and was identified with many good works of our state and city. For two terms he represented the people of Marion county in the state legislature and for many years he has been a director of the city schools and a trustee of Willamette university.  Mr. Smith was an earnest and conscientious member of the Methodist Episcopal church and possessed those qualities so rare in men, a Christian conscience unclouded by any shaded act of his and a record upon which no spot is found. Woodburn Independent Volume 10 January - December 1898, p.185 INSCRIPTION:  SOURCES:  1860 OR CENSUS (Marion Co., Santiam, FA # 3042) THE BROWN FAMILY HISTORY II, rev. by Judith Young and Celista Platz. Pub. Newton, KS, Mennonite Press, 1992 Hines, AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OREGON. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co. 1893, pg 770 OS 7 Oct 1898, 3:3 Woodburn Independent Volume 10 January - December 1898, p.185 CONTACTS:  LOT: 034 SPACE: 1 SW LONGITUDE:  LATITUDE:  IMAGES: