Notes for William Odber Smith

Edith Marian Miles Todd Notes: William Odber Smith was son and grandson of doctors. At time of his father's death he was 18 or 19 and had several younger brothers and sisters. He kept up drug trade which father and grandfather had established. His son has also kept it up so it's the oldest established trade in St.John. His brothers studied medicine but died as young men. William O. Smith was a very prominent man in St. John in all ways: Justice of Peace, Alderman, Mayor 1852, 1855-59. Obituary in St. John paper says, "Every action characterized by energy and honest determination to do what he believed to be right, a gentleman of the old school, outspoken in his views and unflinching in his opinions." On day of funeral flags at half mast and stores closed. Most of his household things burned in St. John fire. Had a peculiar hatred of the color blue, none of his daughters allowed to wear it. His first wife was Elizabeth Brown Durant, died 1835, by whom he had 3 sons and a daughter, William Odber, Elijah Miles, William Brunswick, and Celia Eliza, all died in infancy.

The name Odber came from William O's uncle, T.T. Odber Miles. He got it through a gentleman Thomas Threadway Odber "The accomplished junior member of a business firm in St. John in the early days (according to Bishop Raymond's letter to Kate Miles). Hall ? Odber & Co was the firm. 

Elected Mayor of St. John, 1855. [J.W. Lawrence, 1783-1883 Footprints or Incidents in Early History of New Brunswick, 1883, p.106 
Website]

http://archives.gnb.ca/APPS/NewspaperVitalStats/
New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics 
Daniel F Johnson: Volume 30 Number 1020

Date : March 21, 1871
County : Saint John
Place : Saint John
Newspaper : The Daily Telegraph

Yesterday morn. at quarter after 10 o'clock, Wm O. SMITH, Esq., died at his residence, 119 Germain St. (St. John) at age of 67 years. Having lived all his life in this city and having entered business on his own account at the early age of 19 years, he was thoroughly known in business circles; and having been very closely identified with the Government of the City since 1843, as well as being one of the oldest Justices of the Peace in the County, his name is more or less familiar to all classes. His grandfather, Dr. Nathan SMITH of Rhode Island was one of the old Loyalists and came to this city in 1783, having been a surgeon in one of the regiments of the British Service angaged in the Revolution. The father of William O. Smith was William Howe SMITH who died in 1822 at the age of 45, leaving four sons and two daughters. Dr. Edward SMITH, the only brother of the subject of these remarks who remained in St. John, died here quite a young man, the rest of the family having married and removed to different places. Mr. SMITH was the first elected Alderman for Queens Ward in 1843 and represented that constituency, in all ten years. He was chosen Mayor of the City by Common Council in 1852 and was elected Mayor by his fellow citizens on four different occasions viz. 1855,'56, '57 and '58. He retired from civic representation at the expiration of the last named year. He acted as Sitting Magistrate at the City Police Court for some time. He was Chairman of the Board of the Alms House Commissioners for a few years. His business as a Druggist was one established by his father and the stand was at Adams' Corner, Market Square until the place was destroyed by a fire which will be long remembered. Mr. SMITH then erected the present building at the corner of Market Square and Prince William St., ... the business of late having been conducted by his son, A. Chipman SMITH. Funeral will take place Thursday

http://archives.gnb.ca/APPS/NewspaperVitalStats/
New Brunswick Newspaper Vital Statistics Daniel F Johnson : Volume 30 Number 1031

Date : March 24, 1871
County : Saint John
Place : Saint John
Newspaper : The Daily Telegraph

Funeral afternoon 3 o'clock the remains of the late William O. SMITH, Esq. were consigned to their last resting place in Rural Cemetery at about half past 2 p.m. (Rural Cemetery is now known as Fernhill Cemetery, Westmorland Road, Saint John) (see original)