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FREDERICK DE WOLF SMYTH.
It has been said that a man is educated who is so trained that, drop him where you will in the world, he will become
master of his circumstances. Those who were so fortunate as to be intimately acquainted with Frederick De Wolf
Smyth, of Utica, now deceased, will agree that he possessed exceptional ability and, like all successful business
men, shaped circumstances largely according to his will. He was born at Oswego, New York, in 1862, a son of General
Charles H. Smyth, a record of whom appears in the sketch of Delos De Wolf Smyth on another page of this work.
The son Frederick received his preliminary education in the public schools and pursued his studies further at Hamilton
College, from which he was in due course graduated. Even as a student he gave evidence of strength and decision
of character, which were among his prominent traits when he came into contact with the world. After leaving college
he became interested in the Clinton Metallic Paint Company, to which he devoted his energies with most gratifying
results, developing the concern into one of the largest and most flourishing of its kind in the country. He was
with his father and brother one of the stockholders in the original company that projected the suspension bridge
at Niagara Falls, which attracted general attention of investors and builders all over the world. The control of
the bridge was subsequently acquired by railroad investors and is still held by them. Mr. Smyth possessed good
judgment, backed by energy which generally carried him successfully through any business with which he was identified.
He was much liked by his associates on account of his geniality and his integrity was never questioned.
In 1887 Mr. Smyth was happily married, at Clinton, to Miss Gertrude E. Hastings, and to them one son, Frederick
Hastings, was born. He is now in the second year at the Massachusetts School of Technology at Boston. Mrs. Smyth
is a daughter of Edward A. Hastings, who was born at Clinton. He engaged in mercantile pursuits in New York city
for many years and upon his retirement took up his home at Clinton, where he died in 1892. His father was Dr. Seth
Hastings, who was a son of Dr. Seth Hastings, Sr. The latter drove an ox team from New England to Paris Hill, Oneida
county, New York, this being the ordinary means of travel in the early days. Dr. Hastings, Jr., was born at Paris
Hill and he and his father were both very prominent physicians. The name of the family is well known in central
New York.
Mr. Smyth of this review died April 26, 1907, being then only forty five years of age and in the prime of life.
His death was recognized as a great loss to the community, as he was one of its most valued members. He was a large
hearted, broad minded man, whose presence always brought sunshine and whose word was implicitly relied upon. He
was fond of society and of outdoor diversions, being especially skilled in hunting and fishing, and for many years
was noted as a marksman. He was a member of the Sadaquada and Yahnundahsis Golf Clubs and was a member of the Fort
Schuyler Club. Politically he supported the republican party and in religious faith he affiliated with the Grace
Episcopal church. A man of culture and refinement, he stood high in the esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances
throughout this part of the state. One of his most beautiful characteristics was his strong domestic sentiments
and habits, which made him seek his highest happiness in his family.
From:
History of Oneida County, New York
From 1700 to the present time
of some of its prominent men and pioneers.
By: Henry J. Cookinham
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
Chicago 1912
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