John Thomas Smith

John Thomas Smith was an early settler of the colony. He came to Port Phillip in 1837 to teach at the Church of England Aboriginal Mission Station. He came involved in politics and was a member of the first Melbourne Town Council in 1842. He remained a councillor for the rest of his life and was the mayor seven times between 1851 and 1864 and also became a member of parliament. He was one of the first councillors when the Borough of Essendon and Flemington was formed (in 1862).

He went into the hotel business, and made a considerable fortune.

Smith purchased land in the area known as Ascot Vale and built "Ascot House" in Fenton Street, Ascot Vale. He also purchased the block of land known as North Park.