Frederick W. Smith (October 3,1815 – May 7,1883) was born in Prussia. He received early education in his native town and afterwards went to military academy and was educated as a civil engineer. When he was eighteen years old he came to America. He sailed to New York in 1833 and stayed there almost a year then moved to New Orleans where he worked at a cotton press. He later moved up the Mississippi River to St. Louis where he was soon appointed Deputy City Surveyor. In 1838 or 1839 he left St. Louis for the Platte Purchase and settled at the Blacksnake Hills which is now St. Joseph. He continued with his surveying and also farmed. He prepared the original plat of the French settlement and named it after the founder of the city, Joseph Robidoux. He was a captain of military for several years and a Major of the State Volunteers and was appointed to be the first postmaster of St. Joseph. In 1861 he was elected mayor of St. Joseph and later a judge of Buchanan County Court ending in 1876.

He is credited to be the co-founder of St. Joseph in early history of the city and was a large part in helping it expand over its surrounding land.