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{{Short description|American journalist and politician (1816–1860)}}
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{{Infobox Senator

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|name= Delazon Smith
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{{Infobox officeholder
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|image name= DelazonSmith.jpg
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|name = Delazon Smith
|jr/sr=United States Senator
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|image = DelazonSmith.jpg
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|state=[[Oregon]]
|party= [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|jr/sr = United States Senator
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|state = [[Oregon]]
|term= February 14, 1859 – March 4, 1859
|term_start = February 14, 1859
|preceded= Position Created
|term_end = March 3, 1859
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|succeeded= [[Edward Dickinson Baker]]
|predecessor = Himself ([[Shadow congressperson|Shadow Senator]])
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|birth_date= {{birth date|1816|10|5}}
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|successor = [[Edward Dickinson Baker|Edward Baker]]
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|birth_place= [[New Berlin, New York]]
|office1 = [[Shadow congressperson|United States Shadow Senator]]<br>from the [[Oregon Territory]]
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|death_date= {{death date and age|mf=yes|1860|11|19|1816|10|5}}
|term_start1 = July 5, 1858
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|death_place= [[Portland, Oregon]]
|term_end1 = February 14, 1859
|spouse=
|predecessor1 = Seat established
|profession= [[Politician]]<br>[[journalist]]
|successor1 = Himself ([[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]])
|religion=
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|birth_date = {{birth date|1816|10|5}}
|footnotes=
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|birth_place = [[New Berlin, New York]], U.S.
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|death_date = {{death date and age|1860|11|19|1816|10|5}}
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|death_place = [[Portland, Oregon]], U.S.
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|party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|education = [[Oberlin College]]
}}
}}
'''Delazon Smith''' (October 5, 1816{{spaced ndash}}November 19, 1860) was a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] politician who briefly represented the state of [[Oregon]] in the [[U.S. Senate]] in 1859. He served for less than one month (February 14 to March 4), making his term among the shortest on record in the Senate. Smith was also a newspaper editor in New York and [[Ohio]], and served in the [[Oregon Territory]]'s legislature.
'''Delazon Smith''' (October 5, 1816{{spaced ndash}}November 19, 1860) was a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] politician who briefly represented the state of [[Oregon]] in the [[U.S. Senate]] in 1859. He served for less than one month (February 14 to March 3), making his term among the shortest on record in the Senate. Smith was also a newspaper editor in New York and [[Ohio]], and served in the [[Oregon Territory]]'s legislature.


According to the obituary in the ''Chicago Tribube'', "The adventurous character of Mr. Smith, and the noted eccestricitv of his career, had given him a notoriety greater than is usual to men of a similar grade of ability and attainment."<ref>{{cite news
According to the obituary in the ''Chicago Tribune'', "The adventurous character of Mr. Smith, and the noted eccentricity of his career, had given him a notoriety greater than is usual to men of a similar grade of ability and attainment."<ref>{{cite news
|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]
|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]
|date=December 12, 1860
|date=December 12, 1860
|title=Death of Delazon Smith
|page=2
|page=2
|via=[[newspapers.com]]
|via=[[newspapers.com]]
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Smith was born in [[New Berlin, New York]] on October 5, 1816.<ref name=cong>{{CongBio|S000526|inline=1}}</ref> He was expelled from [[Oberlin College]] in Ohio in 1837, and excommunicated from "the church".<ref>{{cite news
Smith was born in [[New Berlin, New York]] on October 5, 1816.<ref name=cong>{{CongBio|S000526|inline=1}}</ref> He was expelled from [[Oberlin College]] in Ohio in 1837, and excommunicated from "the church".<ref>{{cite news
|title=Misplaced Honors
|title=Misplaced Honors
|newspaper=[[Oberlin Evangelist]]
|newspaper=Oberlin Evangelist
|date=December 19, 1860
|date=December 19, 1860
|page=205
|page=205
|url=http://dcollections.oberlin.edu/digital/collection/evangelist/id/5551}}</ref> He then began the study of law.<ref name=cong/> and soon was [[admitted to the bar]].<ref name=cong/> In 1838 he established the ''[[New York Watchman]]'' newspaper in [[Rochester, New York]], which he edited for two years.<ref name=cong/> Smith also edited the ''[[True Jeffersonian]]'' and the ''[[Western Herald (Rochester)|Western Herald]]'' in Rochester for a time in 1840. In 1841, he founded the ''Western Empire'' in [[Dayton, Ohio]].<ref name=cong/>
|url=http://dcollections.oberlin.edu/digital/collection/evangelist/id/5551}}</ref> He then began the study of law.<ref name=cong/> and soon was [[admitted to the bar]].<ref name=cong/> In 1838 he established the ''New York Watchman'' newspaper in [[Rochester, New York]], which he edited for two years.<ref name=cong/> Smith also edited the ''True Jeffersonian'' and the ''Western Herald'' in Rochester for a time in 1840. In 1841, he founded the ''Western Empire'' in [[Dayton, Ohio]].<ref name=cong/>


==Anti-abolitionist==
==Anti-abolitionist==
Like most Democrats at the time, Delazon was opposed to the [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolition of American slavery]], and in particular to the warm treatment blacks received in Oberlin.
Like most Democrats at the time, Delazon was opposed to the [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolition of American slavery]]. Smith was opposed to Oberlin's admission of Black students and the role he claimed Oberlin students played in helping escaped slaves. He expressed contempt for the interracial friendships– and, he claimed, romantic relationships– he saw around him in college.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Delazon |title=A History of Oberlin, Or New Lights of the West: Embracing the Conduct and Character of the Officers and Students of the Institution; Together with the Colonists, from the Founding of the Institution |publisher=S. Underhill & Son |year=1837 |pages=57-60 |language=en}}</ref>


==Politics==
==Politics==
Smith's career in politics began when he was appointed a special United States commissioner to [[Quito]], [[Ecuador]], serving in this capacity from 1842 to 1845.<ref name=cong/> He then moved to the [[Iowa Territory]] in 1846 and became a minister.<ref name=cong/> In 1852 he moved to the [[Oregon Territory]] and began editing the ''[[Albany Democrat-Herald|Oregon Democrat]]''.<ref name=cong/> In 1854 he was elected to the [[Oregon Territorial Legislature|Territorial House of Representatives]].<ref>[http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6785251 Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide,1854 Regular Session (6th Territorial)]. Retrieved 2016-06-20.</ref> There he served as Speaker of the House during the 1855 to 1856 session.<ref>[http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6785252 Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, 1855 Regular Session (7th Territorial)]. Retrieved 2016-06-20.</ref> The following session was his last as a representative of [[Linn County, Oregon|Linn County]].<ref>[http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6785253 Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, 1856 Regular Session (8th Territorial)]. Retrieved 2016-06-20.</ref> In 1857 Smith was a delegate to the [[Oregon Constitutional Convention|state's constitutional convention]] of that prepared the first constitution in preparation for statehood.<ref name="constitution-bio">{{cite web|url=http://sos.oregon.gov/archives/exhibits/constitution/Pages/during-about-smith.aspx|title=Biographical Sketch of Delazon Smith|work=Crafting the Oregon Constitution|publisher=[[Oregon State Archives]]|accessdate=2016-06-20}}</ref> Upon Oregon's admission to the Union as the 33rd state, Smith was elected to the Senate, serving from February 14 to March 4, 1859.<ref name=cong/> He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election.<ref name=cong/>
Smith's career in politics began when he was appointed a special United States commissioner to [[Quito]], [[Ecuador]], serving in this capacity from 1842 to 1845.<ref name=cong/> He then moved to the [[Iowa Territory]] in 1846 and became a minister. In 1850, he ran in the [[1850 Iowa's 1st congressional district special election|Iowa 1st district special election]] as an Independent receiving 3.43% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|website=Our Campaigns|title=Delazon, Smith|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=164746|date=December 5, 2015|author=Our Campaigns}}</ref><ref name=cong/> In 1852 he moved to the [[Oregon Territory]] and began editing the ''[[Albany Democrat-Herald|Oregon Democrat]]''.<ref name=cong/> In 1854 he was elected to the [[Oregon Territorial Legislature|Territorial House of Representatives]].<ref>[http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6785251 Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide,1854 Regular Session (6th Territorial)]. Retrieved 2016-06-20.</ref> There he served as Speaker of the House during the 1855 to 1856 session.<ref>[http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6785252 Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, 1855 Regular Session (7th Territorial)]. Retrieved 2016-06-20.</ref> The following session was his last as a representative of [[Linn County, Oregon|Linn County]].<ref>[http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6785253 Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, 1856 Regular Session (8th Territorial)]. Retrieved 2016-06-20.</ref> In 1857 Smith was a delegate to the [[Oregon Constitutional Convention|state's constitutional convention]] of that prepared the first constitution in preparation for statehood.<ref name="constitution-bio">{{cite web|url=http://sos.oregon.gov/archives/exhibits/constitution/Pages/during-about-smith.aspx|title=Biographical Sketch of Delazon Smith|work=Crafting the Oregon Constitution|publisher=[[Oregon State Archives]]|access-date=2023-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024211614/http://sos.oregon.gov/archives/exhibits/constitution/Pages/during-about-smith.aspx|archive-date=October 24, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> Upon Oregon's admission to the Union as the 33rd state, Smith was elected to the Senate, serving from February 14 to March 4, 1859.<ref name=cong/> He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election.<ref name=cong/>


Less than two years after leaving the Senate, Delazon Smith died in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] on November 19, 1860 at the age of 44 years.<ref name=cong/> His interment was at [[Albany, Oregon]] in the Masonic Cemetery.<ref name=cong/>
Less than two years after leaving the Senate, Delazon Smith died in [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] on November 19, 1860, at the age of 44 years.<ref name=cong/> His interment was at [[Albany, Oregon]] in the Masonic Cemetery.<ref name=cong/>


==Works authored==
==Works authored==
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{{U.S. Senator box|
{{s-ttl|title=[[Shadow congressperson|U.S. Shadow Senator (Class 2) from the Oregon Territory]]|years=1858–1859|alongside=[[Joseph Lane]]}}
alongside=[[Joseph Lane]]|
{{s-aft|after=Himself|as=[[United States Senate|U.S. Senator]]}}
class=2|
|-
state=Oregon|
{{s-bef|before=Himself|as=[[Shadow congressperson|Shadow Senator]]}}
years= February 14, 1859 – March 4, 1859 |
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States Senators from Oregon|U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Oregon]]|years=1859|alongside=[[Joseph Lane]]}}
after=[[Edward D. Baker]]|
{{s-aft|after=[[Edward Dickinson Baker|Edward Baker]]}}
before=Position Created (Oregon statehood)
}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}
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[[Category:1816 births]]
[[Category:1816 births]]
[[Category:1860 deaths]]
[[Category:1860 deaths]]
[[Category:Oberlin College alumni]]
[[Category:19th-century American businesspeople]]
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[[Category:Politicians from Dayton, Ohio]]
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[[Category:People from New Berlin, New York]]
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[[Category:People from Albany, Oregon]]
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[[Category:United States senators from Oregon]]
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[[Category:Members of the Oregon Territorial Legislature]]
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[[Category:Members of the Oregon Constitutional Convention]]
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[[Category:Democratic Party United States senators]]
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[[Category:Oregon Democrats]]
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[[Category:American newspaper founders]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
[[Category:19th-century American journalists]]
[[Category:19th-century American journalists]]
[[Category:American male journalists]]
[[Category:19th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:19th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:19th-century American politicians]]
[[Category:American male journalists]]
[[Category:Journalists from Ohio]]
[[Category:American newspaper editors]]
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[[Category:American newspaper founders]]
[[Category:American proslavery activists]]
[[Category:American proslavery activists]]
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[[Category:Democratic Party United States senators from Oregon]]
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[[Category:Journalists from Ohio]]
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[[Category:Members of the Oregon Constitutional Convention]]
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[[Category:Members of the Oregon Territorial Legislature]]
[[Category:Oberlin College alumni]]
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[[Category:Politicians from Albany, Oregon]]
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[[Category:People from New Berlin, New York]]
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[[Category:Politicians from Dayton, Ohio]]
[[Category:19th-century United States senators]]

Latest revision as of 22:30, 10 December 2024

Delazon Smith
United States Senator
from Oregon
In office
February 14, 1859 – March 3, 1859
Preceded byHimself (Shadow Senator)
Succeeded byEdward Baker
United States Shadow Senator
from the Oregon Territory
In office
July 5, 1858 – February 14, 1859
Preceded bySeat established
Succeeded byHimself (U.S. Senator)
Personal details
Born(1816-10-05)October 5, 1816
New Berlin, New York, U.S.
DiedNovember 19, 1860(1860-11-19) (aged 44)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationOberlin College

Delazon Smith (October 5, 1816 – November 19, 1860) was a Democratic Party politician who briefly represented the state of Oregon in the U.S. Senate in 1859. He served for less than one month (February 14 to March 3), making his term among the shortest on record in the Senate. Smith was also a newspaper editor in New York and Ohio, and served in the Oregon Territory's legislature.

According to the obituary in the Chicago Tribune, "The adventurous character of Mr. Smith, and the noted eccentricity of his career, had given him a notoriety greater than is usual to men of a similar grade of ability and attainment."[1]

Early life

[edit]

Smith was born in New Berlin, New York on October 5, 1816.[2] He was expelled from Oberlin College in Ohio in 1837, and excommunicated from "the church".[3] He then began the study of law.[2] and soon was admitted to the bar.[2] In 1838 he established the New York Watchman newspaper in Rochester, New York, which he edited for two years.[2] Smith also edited the True Jeffersonian and the Western Herald in Rochester for a time in 1840. In 1841, he founded the Western Empire in Dayton, Ohio.[2]

Anti-abolitionist

[edit]

Like most Democrats at the time, Delazon was opposed to the abolition of American slavery. Smith was opposed to Oberlin's admission of Black students and the role he claimed Oberlin students played in helping escaped slaves. He expressed contempt for the interracial friendships– and, he claimed, romantic relationships– he saw around him in college.[4]

Politics

[edit]

Smith's career in politics began when he was appointed a special United States commissioner to Quito, Ecuador, serving in this capacity from 1842 to 1845.[2] He then moved to the Iowa Territory in 1846 and became a minister. In 1850, he ran in the Iowa 1st district special election as an Independent receiving 3.43% of the vote.[5][2] In 1852 he moved to the Oregon Territory and began editing the Oregon Democrat.[2] In 1854 he was elected to the Territorial House of Representatives.[6] There he served as Speaker of the House during the 1855 to 1856 session.[7] The following session was his last as a representative of Linn County.[8] In 1857 Smith was a delegate to the state's constitutional convention of that prepared the first constitution in preparation for statehood.[9] Upon Oregon's admission to the Union as the 33rd state, Smith was elected to the Senate, serving from February 14 to March 4, 1859.[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election.[2]

Less than two years after leaving the Senate, Delazon Smith died in Portland on November 19, 1860, at the age of 44 years.[2] His interment was at Albany, Oregon in the Masonic Cemetery.[2]

Works authored

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Death of Delazon Smith". Chicago Tribune. December 12, 1860. p. 2 – via newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l United States Congress. "Delazon Smith (id: S000526)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  3. ^ "Misplaced Honors". Oberlin Evangelist. December 19, 1860. p. 205.
  4. ^ Smith, Delazon (1837). A History of Oberlin, Or New Lights of the West: Embracing the Conduct and Character of the Officers and Students of the Institution; Together with the Colonists, from the Founding of the Institution. S. Underhill & Son. pp. 57–60.
  5. ^ Our Campaigns (December 5, 2015). "Delazon, Smith". Our Campaigns.
  6. ^ Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide,1854 Regular Session (6th Territorial). Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  7. ^ Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, 1855 Regular Session (7th Territorial). Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  8. ^ Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, 1856 Regular Session (8th Territorial). Retrieved 2016-06-20.
  9. ^ "Biographical Sketch of Delazon Smith". Crafting the Oregon Constitution. Oregon State Archives. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
U.S. Senate
New seat U.S. Shadow Senator (Class 2) from the Oregon Territory
1858–1859
Served alongside: Joseph Lane 		Succeeded by
Himself
as U.S. Senator
Preceded by
Himself
as Shadow Senator 		U.S. Senator (Class 2) from Oregon
1859
Served alongside: Joseph Lane 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Delazon_Smith&oldid=1262344131"