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 John Peter Smith, Founder of Oakwood Cemetery Posted by:  QuesterMark
N 32° 46.198 W 097° 20.969
14S E 654592 N 3626991
This marker in Oakwood Cemetery is mounted on a granite memorial holding a silhouette of the man.
Waymark Code: WM3ET1
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 03/24/2008
Views: 26
Texas Historical Commission Atlas data:
Index Entry: Smith, John Peter
Address: 700 Grand Ave.
City: Fort Worth
County: Tarrant
Subject Codes: BU; GY; PI;
Year Marker Erected: 1981
Marker Location: 700 Grand Ave., Fort Worth, Oakwood Cemetery entrance
Marker Size: 27" x 42"
Repairs Completed: refinish/local effort
Related Waymarks:
Oakwood Cemetery: WM3EYP
John Peter Smith: WM3G39
Marker Number: 2800
Marker Text:
Pioneer area settler John Peter Smith (1831-1901), who donated twenty acres for the establishment of this cemetery, came to Fort Worth from Kentucky in 1853. He served the community as a teacher, clerk, surveyor, and attorney, and became a noted civic leader.
Although opposed to the secession of Texas during the Civil War, Smith raised a company of Tarrant County men for the Confederacy and joined Sibley's Brigade in 1861. While in the war he served in the unsuccessful invasion of New Mexico, the recapture of Galveston in 1863, and was severely wounded at Donaldsville, Louisiana, later that year.
After the war Smith returned to Fort Worth, where be became involved in the development of the city. He helped organize a bank, gas light company,and street railway. He also gave land for city parks, cemeteries, including this site in 1879, and a hospital, later named in his honor. In 1882 he became Mayor and directed the establishment of many public services, such as the school system and the water department.
In 1901 Smith died in St. Louis, Missouri, while on a promotional trip for Fort Worth. He is buried in a section of Oakwood Cemetery that is part of the original acreage he donated to the city. (1981)
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