Early Life, Family and Training
Allen Smith, Jr. was born in 1810 in Dighton, Mass. He was the son of Allen and Lydia (Wardwell) Smith. His early years involved the quiet work of copying prints and drawings to learn the basics of form. This early practice eventually led him to the scene-painting department of the Bowery Theater, where he worked with the practical demands of stage backgrounds.
His formal academic training took place while he was a student at the National Academy. This period of study helped shape his development as an American portrait painter. He moved through different cities, including Detroit and Cincinnati, before finding a permanent place for his brush in the Midwest.
Life and Work in Cleveland
After moving to Cleveland in 1841, Smith settled into the city around 1842. He remained there for more than forty years, establishing a steady presence in the local community. His hands were often busy with the practicalities of supporting a large family of eight children. To supplement his income, he spent time in local studios, where he touched up and colorized photographs. This work required a steady hand and a careful eye for detail, bridging the gap between traditional painting and the emerging medium of photography.
His portraiture became a fixture of the region's social record. He was frequently called upon to capture the likenesses of influential figures, including Governor Tod of Ohio and Governor Fairchild of Wisconsin. His brush also met the faces of the presidents of both Kenyon and Western Reserve colleges. He also painted a formal portrait of Leonard Case, Jr., documenting the people who shaped the local landscape during his long tenure in the city.
Later Years and Death
In 1883, Smith moved to Painesville. This period followed decades of work in Cleveland, where he had practiced his craft for over forty years. His focus had shifted toward the landscapes of Big Creek Valley, finding quiet subject matter in the natural surroundings of Lake County. He spent his final years in Concord, Ohio.
He died on 11 Sept. 1890. His remains were laid to rest in Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland. He left behind a family that included eight children: Frances, Elizabeth, Benjamin W., George, Alice, Charles, Adrian, and Ida.
