Statues - Hither & Thither

a native of kentucky, john peter smith migrated to
fort worth in 1853. he worked as a teacher, clerk, and
surveyor before his appointment as deputy surveyor
of the denton land department in 1855, for which
he received payment in property. also a student of
law, he was later admitted to the bar
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
he became involved in the development of the city. he
helped organize a bank, gas light company, and street
railway. he also donated land for parks, cemeteries, and
a hospital, later named john peter smith hospital. in
1882 he became mayor and directed the establishment
of many public services, including 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
oakwood cemetery, a site he donated to the city
(1980)