Details
Title Smith. B. F. (Benjamin Franklin) Jr.
Date August 5, 1830-1927
Description Benjamin Franklin Smith, Jr., born on August 5, 1830 in South Freedom, Maine, was a noted lithographic artist of bird's eye views, including Philadelphia, in the mid 19th century. Partner in the firm the Smith Brothers, with brothers Francis (1828-1903), George Warren (1825-1922), and David Clifford (1827-1911). Smith, like his brothers, first canvassed for subscriptions of views by New York lithographer Edwin Whitefield, before he and his siblings started their own New York firm in 1849. Between 1850 and 1855, the firm issued nearly 30 views, including two drawn on stone by Benjamin F. showing Philadelphia; "Philadelphia from Camden - 1850" and "Philadelphia from Girard College - 1850." The firm disbanded in 1856 although B. F. Smith issued a lithographic view of Elmira, N.Y. as B. F. Smith, Jr. & Co. (Albany, N.Y.) in 1862.
Following his work in the lithographic trade, Smith and his brother Francis entered the Colorado mining business in the late 1850s and later invested in Omaha stockyards. Smith returned to Maine a wealthy man in the 1880s. At his return, he created the Rockport estate "Warrenton Park" and the B. F. Smith Trust, a precedent setting trust in its excellent management of the family funds. He was reputed the richest man in the state by the time of his death in 1927.
Smith was married to Henrietta (b. 1840) in 1862 and the couple had two children (son Clifford and daughter Cordelia) living in 1900. The couple resided in "Warrenton Park" with several servants according to the census for that year. Smith's brother Francis also resided at the estate.
Is part of Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
References See Whitfield, Edwin.
Call number Philadelphia on Stone Biographical Dictionary of Lithographers
Bibliographic citation Census 1900
Library Company of Philadelphia research file
Peters, 370
Reps, Views and Viewmakers, 206-208
Smith, A Maine Family of Smiths (1922)