Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 973 - 974

ABRAM SMITH, a leading citizen and a wealthy capitalist of Wichita, came here March 15, 1872, and bought the lot and built the house at No. 447 North Lawrence avenue, which still continues to be his home. He has dealt largely in real estate in this city, and by his energy and enterprise has been an important factor in building up Wichita. He is an extensive owner of very valuable property in this city and county, consisting of houses, lots, etc. In 1877 he bought five lots adjoining his first purchase, and in June, 1886, he bought four more lots adjoining, on the same avenue. In 1882 he purchased two lots on Main street, and later two lots on the corner of Main and Third streets, on the first of which he has since erected two stores and two dwellings. Of the last two lots he sold one for $6,000, it having cost him $52, and on the other he built the Bon-Ton bakery, which rents for $150 per month. His next investment was the purchase of six lots on Market street, between Third and Central streets, on which be built four residences. He sold three lots and two of these houses for $12,000, in 1887. He next bought four lots on Topeka avenue, between Elm and Pine streets, on which he built three houses, for which he receives $115 rent each month. He bought twenty lots in Riverside Addition, and has built a fine dwelling there, which rents for $50 a month. He afterward purchased seven lots on the corner of Emporia avenue and Pine streets, and built two houses, which he sold for $13,000. He is also the owner of a valuable ranch, containing 480 acres of land, in Ohio Township, Sedgwick County.

            Mr. Smith was born in Broome County, N. Y., July 12, 1842. His parents are Charles H. and Dorothy (VanBuren) Smith, natives respectively of Vermont and New York. His father was an undertaker, and in the last years of his life a contractor and builder. He was characterized by shrewd judgment and good business ability. He died at Castleton, N. Y., in 1886. To him and his wife were born nine children, five of whom are still living, namely: Abram, Charles W., Elizabeth, Timothy and Louisa. Their mother lives in a pleasant home in Castleton.

            Our subject grew to manhood in his native State. He was strong, active and capable, inheriting from his parents those qualifications which have made him pre-eminently successful in his business career. He early learned the carpenter's trade of his father, and has been a builder and contractor ever since he entered on the active duties of life, until 1886. At his country's call in 1861 he enlisted as a drummer boy in the 91st New York Volunteers, and during the four trying years that followed he did faithful service on Southern battle-fields.

            The marriage of our subject with Miss Cornelia P. Fairchild took place Nov. 16, 1865. She is a native of Albany, N. Y., and is the daughter of Samuel B. and Esther M. (Myers) Fairchild, natives of Pine Plains, Dutchess Co., N. Y. Mr. Fairchild was in the dry-goods business in early life, but later he turned his attention to farming, and was thus engaged until within a few years of his death, which occurred Oct. 11, 1879. The mother is now a resident of Wichita, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Smith. To her and her husband were born five children, of whom three daughters are now living, namely: Cornelia P., Mrs. Smith; Elizabeth, Mrs. Sennett, of California, and Mrs. Kittie Bear, of Argonia, Kan. Her son John was an Orderly Sergeant in the 91st New York Volunteers, and served four years, taking part in many battles under Gen. Banks. He died of a fever in the hospital at Baltimore, Md.

            To our subject and his wife have been born five children, three of whom are now living--Frank H., Clarence A. and Hazel C. With the joys of parentage they have also suffered its sorrows in the death of two children, Ettie and Samuel F. Ettie died in Quincy, Ill. Samuel F. was killed by lightning in the home of his parents on the 20th of June, 1874, at the age of four years and six days.

            In 1869 Mr. and Mrs. Smith took up their abode in Quincy, Ill., for a few months, Mr. Smith being engaged there as a contractor and builder. In the same year they removed to Humboldt, Kan., and resided there for one year. In 1870 Mr. Smith took up a claim in Butler County, Kan., and with his family lived there a year. They then came to Wichita, which has since been their home. It was then a small town, scarcely two years having elapsed since the first house had been built within its limits, and our subject may well take pride in the important part he has taken in building it up, and in aiding its many business enterprises.

            Mr. and Mrs. Smith are noted for their many countless acts of kindness and deeds of charity; no one appeals to them for assistance in vain. They are esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and always exert their influence to promote the moral welfare of the community. Mrs. Smith is one of the Directors of the Ladies' Relief Corps, and of the Ladies' Benevolent Home and Hospital.

            In politics Mr. Smith has always been a stanch Republican. His portrait may be seen elsewhere in this work.

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