Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 1223.
 
HIRAM J. SMITH

     A highly respected citizen of Salem, is a member of that honored body of
pioneers who came to Marion county, Oregon, in 1852.  He was born in Madison
county, Iowa, July 4, 1833.  His grandfather, John J. Smith, was a native of
Virginia, but removed to Kentucky in an early day; later he went to Ohio, reared
his family there, and died at the advanced age of ninety-three years.  Elijah
Smith, son of John J., was born in Ohio and married Miss Annie Riddle, a native
of Ohio; they were the parents of eleven children, Hiram J. being the
second-born.  The family immigrated to Iowa, and there our subject passed an
uneventful youth, dividing his time between the district school and the duties
that usually fall to the lot of a farmer's son.  In 1852 his father and the
family crossed the plains to Oregon, making the journey with ox teams; the ninth
day of May they passed over the Missouri river, and were beyond the Cascades of
3d of the following September; they had a safe trip, and only one of the company
died on the way.  The father purchased 320 acres of land, on which he lived one
winter; in the spring he sold the tract, and located on another farm of 320
acres of Government land; there he built a home, and cultivated the land for two
years; selling it at the end of that time; he next purchased 670 acres near
Macleay.
     When Hiram J. Smith started out to meet the responsibilities of life, he
was first employed by the month, but in October, 1854, he went to Yreka,
Siskiyou county, California, and engaged in placer mining; he followed this
business with fair success for three years, his best day bringing him $100.  He
next went to the Idaho mines, where he met with divided fortunes, but came away
with enough money to buy 200 acres of choice land in the Waldo Hill district;
there he built a house, improved the land, and devoted his energies to
agriculture from 1860 until 1881; in the latter year he removed to Salem, but
retained the management of his ranch.  In 1888 he purchased lots and built a
handsome residence at the corner of Twelfth and State streets.
     After the purchase of his farm, in 1860, Mr. Smith was married to Miss
Emily McAlpin, a native of Indiana.  To them have been born four children:
Belle is the wife of C. R. Hougham; Cora married John Mear; Ida and Jesse are at
home with their parents.
     Mr. Smith has been a stanch Republican since the war, and is a man who can
be relied upon after he has taken a position upon any question, as he possesses
the courage of his convictions.  He has led a life of industry, and has secured
a comfortable competency for his declining years.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.